An evaluation of the implementation of physical education curriculum in selected secondary schools in mansa district, Zambia

Abstract

In this study the scholar evaluated the implementation of Physical Education (PE) curriculum in selected secondary schools in Mansa District of Luapula Province, Zambia. The study sought to establish the availability of instructional materials, human resource and facilities for the implementation of PE curriculum. Through this study, the attitudes of school administrators and teachers towards the teaching of PE curriculumweredetermined. The challenges faced by teachers in the implementation of the PE curriculum in secondary schools were further identified in this study. A qualitative research approach utilizing descriptive design was used in order to describe experiences involved inthe PE curriculum implementation in secondary schools. The samplecomprised 16 respondents drawn as follows: 1 Education Standards Officer, 3 head teachersand 12 teachers from the three schools, these were sampled purposively. Data was collected usinginterviewschedules and lesson observation checklist. Data was analyzed thematically. Findings of the study revealed that secondary schools in Mansa had insufficient instructional materials, poor infrastructure where sports groundfor instance developed anthills with no running tracks, lack of interest in sports practical skills by PE teachers and insufficient PE teachers. The attitudes of head teachers and non-PEteachers towards PE were negative in that some head teachers did not support the curriculum hence failed to procure moreequipment, citing that thesports equipment were expensive and may drain school funds. Non-PE teachers mocked PE teachers as they stated that the subject had no future for the learners. However, Pupils’ attitude towards the subject was positive for they showed interest and participated willingly in PE lessons.The challenges faced by teachers in implementing PE curriculum included: Inadequate sports facilities,risk for learners being injured in practical lessons, lack of self motivation by some learners, lack of practical knowledge about PE and sport by PE teachers, limited supply of instructional materials and equipment, lack of enough qualified PE teachers and PE was not prioritized in many schools due to lack of financial support from school administration. In addition, lack of sensitization of PE teachers, pupils and parents about the importance of PE as well as lack of appropriate PE attires for most learnersduringPE lessons were among the notable challenges. The recommendations from this study were that: The Ministry of General Education through the Curriculum Development Centre needed to institute a monitoring and evaluation team to check the extent to which PE is being implemented in all secondary schools. The Ministry of General Education through Colleges should encourage teachers to upgrade in Qualification so as to promote quality. There is need to invest in procurement of teaching materials, infrastructural development and capacity building because they were deemed to be catalyst towards the implementation of physical education to all learners. Keywords: Curriculum implementation, Physical Education and Evaluation