Social studies curriculum at the crossroads: implementation of the secondary school social studies curriculum in Chingola district of Zambia.
Date
2020
Authors
Moobola, Larry
Mulenga, Innocent Mutale
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
European Journal of Education Studies
Abstract
Curriculum implementation is one of the key aspects of the curriculum development
process. The success of any educational policy depends on the accomplishing of the
objectives of the policy. However, despite the desire to make learning more relevant to
the needs of the learners by bringing into context all the skills, attitudes, values and
competencies from the three subject areas (Geography, History and Civics) into one
(Social Studies). The implementation of the 2013 revised junior secondary school Social
Studies curriculum still remain a challenge. The purpose of this study was to analyse the
implementation of the junior secondary school Social Studies curriculum in Chingola
district. The researchers used a phenomenological research design. 71 participants
comprising of 40 teachers of Social Studies, 20 learners of Social Studies, 10 secondary
school head teachers and the District Education Standards Officer were sampled for the
study. Data was collected from the District Education Standards Officer, Head teachers
and teachers using interview schedules. From the learners, data was collected using focus
group discussion schedules and then a document analysis schedule was also used to
collect data from policy documents and school-based curriculum implementation
documents. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. The findings revealed that
the time allocated to the implementation of Social Studies in schools was inadequate.
Further, Social Studies was being taught through specialization by teachers who were
trained in subject areas like Geography, History and Civic Education a scenario which
contributed to the poor performance of learners. The researchers recommended that the
Ministry of General Education through the Curriculum Development Centre should consider allocating more time (periods) to the implementation of Social Studies, expedite the training and recruitment of Social Studies teachers and encourage Continuous
Professional Development (CPD) meetings both at district and school levels for the purpose of capacity building.
Description
Keywords
Social studies. , Effective learning. , Curriculum implementation.