By Nyasha Mutena
Harare, Zimbabwe (News Of The South) – The approved curriculum review is indeed an epitome of wholesomeness and if students are to put it to good use, a new generation of excellence is building up as it caters for both the school leaver and the college graduate.
During the past three decades, basic education curricular entitled citizens to go through levels of education namely Primary level then Ordinary level and attain at least five subjects including English and Mathematics. The results which one acquired at Ordinary level determined the path in which they had to take and if one failed, in most cases repeating was the most sensible decision to make, failing again prompted re-repeating.
This setup however was inadequate for students who are not gifted academically, it almost meant there was no plan B. As an effect, many students have more than 3 sittings at ordinary level because academics seemed to be the only gate-pass to a successful future. The curriculum in Zimbabwe tended to be overly academic. It seems that many people pursued various professions because it appeared to be the next option but this compromised what they would have loved to do, in the process side-lining quality service provision on the part of these to be employees therefore the curriculum review was long overdue and students should embrace the advent of this curriculum review and make good use of time to study hard and explore their talents to benefit greatly.
In the light of emerging national and global – economic trends, the reviewed curriculum was carefully kneaded to provide equitable, quality, inclusive and relevant education which is accessible, affordable and which enables citizens to participate in the socio-economic transformation of the nation.
The new curriculum comprises organized levels namely Infant, Junior then Secondary level. The Infant level includes ECD to Grade 2 while junior school modules constitute primary education (grade 3-7). Transition to Secondary education follows formal completion of primary school education. The Secondary cycle comprises six years (form 1-6) of which at the end of form 4 students are expected to take Ordinary level national school examinations. By the time the learners write these examinations, they will have satisfied, through learner participation, the requirements and completion of life-skills Orientation programming.
Pleasing results in the examinations together with the successful completion of the life-skills orientation Programme allows learners to proceed to high school (form 5-6), pursue further education (tertiary) to prepare entry into professions and occupations or seek skills development through apprenticeships and other opportunities for workplace training (psychomotor skills development). Apparently credentials are no longer enough to ensure success at the workplace therefore those with special skills will be at a definite advantage.
However, at this stage the best part of the curriculum is that it would have moulded students to such an extent that the school leaver or college graduate can live better, happier and lead a more productive life in the society and ultimately contribute to the development of the communities they represent.
Unlike the former, the latter is a fountain of balanced education and has the full potential to produce well-rounded pupilstogether with well-rounded education that imparts life-long skills. These skills give pupils balance and help them to develop emotional intelligence and make sense of the world around them thus in the end ensuring that they possess values and attributes that they need to be readily employable.
While the reviewed curriculum is well balanced, Educationist Mrs IdzaiGweme said learners needed more time to adjust and that those who are learning fromthe foundation will benefit the most.
“The idea was very noble but the only flaw it has is time, students were not given enough time to adjust to it therefore those who are beginning from the foundation will not have confusion” said Mrs Gweme.
Students should take advantage of the platform to explore their talent because unlike the previous curriculum which was content-based, the reviewed curriculum is envisaged to be outcomes-based focusing primarily on the learners’ capacity to apply knowledge, skills and attitudes in an independent, practical and responsible highway. This is set to make Zimbabwe competitive in its domestic market as well as engage gainfully in the global market.
A parent, Mr LevisonRefani said the curriculum review was long overdue and that it was well adjusted to suit the dynamic world that we now live in. He said the previous curriculum was not equipping learners to suit today’s world but rather maintaining the traditional ways of thinking.
“We are happy with reviewed curriculum because it caters for every child’s strengths and weaknesses unlike the traditional ways of thinking whereby if one failed to pass their academics, their future spelled disaster,” said Refani.
Zimbabwe’s economy being agro-based, the teaching of subjects like agriculture from ECD level is a step in the right direction because at the time the infants grow into adulthood, they would have been instilled in them a sense of hard-work and the knowledge of how the soil is crucial in sustaining a country’s economy, this alone engages them in promoting agriculture as well as the economy at large. It is conceivable to suggest that an education without a deepened understanding of agriculture, technical, vocational an business, commercial fields and their practical aspects is inadequateand the curriculum review happens to fill in the void.
Infants are being taught to use different materials to construct a variety of objects and also use pasting, weaving and plaiting as communicative activities. This instigates a sense of creativity in them which is essential in many ways especially talent exploration. Once a learner discovers their talent, it is expected that the teachers assist in developing it because through activities like these they achieve social,linguistic and emotional development.
Music and dance does not only expose learners to their cultural context and social values which is much needed for the succession of the curriculum but it is a powerful career in which learners must take a cue from the achievements like that ofthe late music icon Dr Oliver ‘Tuku’ Mtukudzi who was declared a national hero through music.
They can do so by pursuing and taking their talents seriously knowing they can contribute tremendously to the nation’s well-being whilst sustaining their livelihood.Students should take advantage of this opportunity to explore their inner selves and work on their careers ambitions so that when they complete the expected final level of education, they will be ready to deliver refined skills.
It only seems requisite that this initiative be permeated and embraced throughout all the educational institutions in the country. Students are encouraged to work extra hard in their academics as well polish their skills and natural talents in order to survive the dynamics of the job market.
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