Rethinking quality assurance in curriculum development and implementation for higher education in Africa.
Date
2020
Authors
Mulenga, Innocent Mutale
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Abstract
Far-reaching advances and change in technology, climate and global economic integration are
transforming the way we live today in ways that we do not yet fully understand. In sub-Saharan Africa,
these uncertainties make a dramatic increase in population and a rapid expansion and demand in higher
education. This creates challenges especially where higher education curriculum development and
quality assurance are concerned since higher education has to provide the much needed appropriate
work force. In this paper, the author explores the opportunities that quality assurance in higher
education curriculum development can ride on using the thinking behind 21st century competencies. The
chronicle of this discussion combines clear academic definitions of curriculum, curriculum development
and then an analysis of how 21st century competencies may bench mark quality assurance in curriculum
development for higher education. The final section of the paper brings together some challenges that
are real threats and impediments to quality assurance in curriculum development in most African
tertiary institutions. In the conclusion, the author feels that there are no reasons why African countries
cannot transform challenges into stepping stones through quality assurance and improvement of their
higher education sector so as to make it vibrant and productive. This will require a mind-set
transformation.
Description
Keywords
Higher education.
Curriculum development.
Quality assurance.
21st century skills.
Competencies.