Teachers' attitudes towards the implementation of the revised social studies curriculum in selected secondary schools in Mufumbwe district,Zambia

Abstract

The study aimed at establishing Teachers’ attitudes towards the implementation of the revised social studies curriculum in selected secondary schools in Mufumbwe District, Zambia. The objectives of the study were to; Investigate the views of teachers towards the implementation of the revised Social Studies curriculum at Junior Secondary school, Identify the benefits of implementing the revised Social Studies curriculum at Junior Secondary school, Explore the possible challenges of implementing the revised Social Studies curriculum at Junior Secondary school and To suggest effective ways of implementing the revised Social Studies curriculum at Junior Secondary school. A descriptive design utilising qualitative approach was used in conducting this study. Data was collected through face to face interviews and semi-structured interviews to a sample of twenty five (25) participants consisting of twenty (20) Social Studies teachers and five (5) Heads of Departments of Social Sciences who were purposively sampled from five (5) selected secondary schools in Mufumbwe District. The Data collected were analysed using thematic analysis. Thematic analysis emphasises pinpointing and recording patterns (or “themes”) as the categories for analysis. The study revealed that, the attitude of both Social Studies teachers and Heads of Departments towards the implementation of the Social Studies revised curriculum was negative and showed that teachers face a variety of challenges which impede on the successful implementation of during the teaching and learning process. Since teachers are the major implementers, the findings have shown that there was need to provide opportunities for them to participation during formulation and/ or review of the curriculum. Also the Ministry of Education should devise ways of providing quality and relevant teaching and learning resources that are consistent with the revised social studies curriculum and disseminate in time. Based on the findings of the study, the following recommendations were made: Providing adequate human, material and financial resources to put the designed curriculum into practice. Decision-making in the process of curriculum implementation should be participatory to avoid resistance among the staff members. Training of teachers to support curriculum implementation should including school management and District officers and this comprehensive revised social studies curriculum training programme should be compulsory. It is recommended that all our universities and colleges mount courses and programmes ranging from diploma to Bachelor degree courses in social studies to produce the much-needed qualified man-power to handle the Junior Secondary School Social Studies programmes.