The recent unveiling of the new 2023 Curriculum Framework for Zambia has sparked a range of reactions from the public, with some expressing astonishment and concern. Notably, MMD President and former Vice President Nevers Mumba has taken the opportunity to shed light on the process of curriculum development, urging Zambians to understand the comprehensive steps involved.
In a statement addressing initial reactions to the new curriculum, Mumba highlighted the misconception that the President and/or his Cabinet directly create the curriculum. He emphasized the need for the public, including notable leaders, to recognize the intricate process led by the Ministry of General Education through the Curriculum Development Centre.
Mumba clarified that, before receiving approval, a thorough curriculum development process is undertaken by the Ministry. The Curriculum Development Centre plays a pivotal role in ensuring that the curriculum is meticulously designed and aligns with the needs of the education system. Importantly, teachers are actively involved in the process to ensure their input and ownership of the curriculum that will be implemented in schools.
“The Ministry of General Education, through the Curriculum Development Centre, spearheads the development of the Zambian curriculum. It’s crucial to understand that the President and the Cabinet are not directly involved in creating the curriculum,” Mumba stated.
He urged the public to appreciate the efforts made to involve teachers in the curriculum design process, emphasizing the importance of their ownership and understanding of the curriculum they will implement in schools.
“As we discuss the new curriculum, it’s essential to be informed about the process that precedes its approval. This understanding will contribute to more constructive and informed discussions surrounding the 2023 Curriculum Framework,” Mumba added.
Mumba concluded by inviting the public to share their initial reactions to the new curriculum framework, fostering a dialogue that is based on a comprehensive understanding of the development process. This call for informed discussion seeks to dispel misconceptions and encourage a more nuanced and insightful evaluation of the recently unveiled curriculum.
In a nutshell we are just going back to what it was before 1965. Nevas Mumba was just a baby and probably doesn’t understand why it was changed to the current set up. Main reason was to educate as many people as possible in the shortest time. 1965 we had two types of secondary entrees… those in standard six and those in standard five which later became grade seven and the last grade in primary school.
The Curriculum is not supposed to be changed willy nilly. It must take a discerning process that results in something progressive-not just change for the sake of change. For a new government such as UPND a change in curriculum would have taken them at least five years. This just shows it is a riff raff job as these politicians are desperate for “Sontapo.” I have talked to many teachers and they tell me they were not involved in the process. This is all a political curriculum with no citizens involvement.
We are looking to seeing a successful Education in Zambia.
If you don’t lead a honest life, at above 60yrs you won’t command any respect and you’ll have to lick somebody’s boot to put food on the table. That’s how life is.
Nevas Mumba is doing everything to gain recognition by the president. He has no self decency, he has no self respect… just follow his trail to becoming the Republican Vice President… it’s all littered with lies, sweet talk and pandering.
Still too many subjects!
Why should children still be subjected to more than 6 subjects?
Who needs History to put food on the table? Why do we need Zambian Subjects? Who needs RE?
Who needs English on an empty stomach?
We need practical subjects relevant to National Development!
Call for an Indaba to get better ideas!
We can’t be having a Curriculum that is dictated by the West!
You are speaking out of bitterness and ignorance.
Check what they are teaching in South Korea.
Subjects (or subject clusters) to be taught are Korean Language, Social Studies/
Moral Education, Mathematics, Science/Practical Arts, Physical Education, Arts
(Music/Art), and English. In the case of grades 1 and 2, subjects include Korean
Language, Mathematics, and integrated subjects of Moral Life, Inquiring Life,
and Pleasant Life.
Highly misplaced notion
In his song “The Poor Man Feel”, Peter Tosh says “Gotta find a solution to this pollution, The poor man a feel it”. In other words, it is the poor mans’ burden until a solution is found. This is a poor mans child curriculum
The rich man’s child goes to Lusaka International School and other such.
There is no national educational method. Every government wants to alter what is there in place.
Kenneth had his own. Titus came to change everything to do with Helen Kaunda or Betty. MMD introduced Basic and Combined schools. They even painted schools blue to show party colours. PF scraped that system to even give us AWOKE S€X education for minors! Now the 60’s educational format shelved by Kenneth is back for the new dawn to prove a lousy point. What’s special about form 6? Wonders come in many forms, while Zambia goes nowhere.
Ba Mumba, makes me feel second hand embarrassment with his bootlicking. Someone make him a director spokesperson somewhere already. A president of a political party who sees nothing wrong with a government he is trying to unseat?
Our curriculum was due for an overhaul. However, there is a need to review the subjects being proposed. English and local languages must remain as a matter of globalization and cultural preservation respectively.
Do we have qualified teachers for the technical courses? Do we have workshops at all schools?
The time we went to secondary school, we found fully functional and fully equipped Woodwork shops, Metal workshops….all these are not just shells but have disappeared completely.
Deja Vu is my agemate. I did Metal work and Woodwork in junior Secondary school. I wonder whether the laboratories are still equipped. Thank you UNIP for giving us free education
Politics is tough..if you don’t make it as a Politician its better to become a praise singer like Nevers Mumba….just praising everything otherwise even if its useless otherwise he won’t get his brown envelope
And he’s trying to explain something even the government has not fully understand.
The curriculum was amended as recently as 2015. You cannot keep changing a curriculum this frequently without destabilising the nations productivity. You are failing to provide desks for pupils yet you now think you can provide them with additional subjects. If you lack people qualified to teach those subjects then who is goin to treach them? A sane person would start with funding training for teachers into those new areas before changing a curriculum. This is another stupid ideas by stupid hh. Educated f00I
The Curriculum is not changed willy nilly. It must take a discerning process that results in something progressive-not just change for the sake of change. For a new government such as UPND a change in curriculum would have taken them at least five years. This just shows it is a riff raff job as these politicians are desperate for “Sontapo.” I have talked to many teachers and they tell me they were not involved in the process. This is all a political curriculum with no citizens involvement.
IAM NOT impressed with the change of curriculum.
How can cream de cream child of mine at a Technical School STEM be learning with failures. The way it was to screen at G7,G9 and G12 where fantastic…..!!
Ba HH you have made mistake on this One!!
Technical schools like Hillcrest or DK only offer Senior grades 10-12….They dont need official G9 exams results to screen pupils for their intakes . They can easily put in place their own selection process through aptitude tests or grade 9 performance at respective schools.
Does Nevers Mumba still deserve to be called MMD President ,he is such a cadre now its even embarrassing even HH himself, baHH please make him a secretary or deputy director somewhere
Gradual implementation of UNIP government’s educational reforms was adopted by the mmd with basic education from early child to grade 9 to lead to the subsequent abolition of grade 7 exams and high schools to run from grade 10 to 12 while grade 13/14 was to be for A levels
The idea was ok and all that was needed was more investment for capacity building and structural consolidation
PF govt abandoned this and reverted to primary education from grade 1 to 7 and…hitherto the current confusion
Introduce Paul Ngozi in the curriculum!
And Kadansa too
If we are to be a middle-income country, we need to have a curriculum which is leaning towards Science and Technology. This means having pure sciences being offered in Schools. The current curriculum was supposed to abolish combined science and introduce pure science as compulsory subjects. Science is a back-borne of any industry. Furthermore, the current school system has no capacity to offer A-levels. This can be seen from the results most schools are producing at O-level stage. My proposal is that we allow institutions such as Evelyn-Hone, NORTEC and other notable tertiary institutions to offer A-levels to adequately prepare students for University Education.
Mano ayo
This is a poor attempt at education reform. Where are performance standards for teachers? Why not adopt the Cambridge style curriculum fully because this is what this is leading to anyway? Are you introducing national service or internship to avert gap years?
They must leave the things which are already in order don’t messy up things
Don’t try to look good
Maintain the meali meal price don’t disturb the education system