curriculum notes

CURRICULUM

There is no generally agreed upon definition of curriculum.

·         Kerr defines curriculum as,’’all the learning which is planned and guided by the school,if it is carried on in groups or individually,inside or outside of school.’’

                                       Curriculum is almost always defined with relation to schooling. According to some,it is the major division between formal and informal education.However,under some circumstances it may also be applied to informal education or free choice learning settings.

                                     Curriculum development has a broad scope because it is not only about the school,the learners,and the teachers.It is also about the development of society in general.In today’s knowledge economy,curriculum development plays a vital role in improving the economy of a country.It also provides answers or solutions to the world’s pressing conditions and problems,such as Environment,Politics,Socio-economics and other issues of poverty,climate change and sustainable development.

IMPLEMENTING THE CURRICULUM

·         The role of stakeholders in curriculum implementation.

            Stakeholders are individuals or institutions that are interested in the school curriculum.Their interests vary in degree and complexity.They get involved in many different ways in the implementation,as curriculum affects them directly or indirectly.

·         Learners at the centre of the curriculum.

            The learner is placed at the center.They are the very reasona curriculum is developed.

·         Teachers as curriculum developers and implementers.

             In the teaching and learning process, the other side of the coin is the teacher.A teacher is a curriculum maker.

·         Curriculum managers and administrators.

             In school organization,there is always a curriculum manager or school administrator.

·         Parents as supporter to the curriculum.

             Parents would be willing to pay the cost of educating their child for as long as their children get the best learning experiences.

·         Community members as curriculum resources.

             The success in the implementation of the curriculum requires  resources.

·         Other stakeholders in curriculum implementation.

                           Professional organizations have shown great influence in school curriculum.Some of                                                                these  organizations are those of each profession,like teacher’s organization,lawyers organization,medical docters association,engineer organization and many other.

 

           

ISSUES OF CURRICULUM IMPLEMENTATION

                         Today increase in knowledge has posed numerous challenges in developing school curriculum lest alone in implementing same.One thing is to develop school curriculum and another thing is that of the implementation of the curriculum,this therefore,brings the difference or actually explained the difference that exists between the development of the government policies and the implementation aspects of it.

                          The problems bothering from development and planning to implementation are,

1.       Lack of teacher participation in decision making and curriculum planning.

              The teacher has a crucial role to play in the success of any educational programme in the

  Nation and as such should be in the centre and take an active part in the planning and development  of the curriculum.

2.       Lack of sufficient finance.

               Curriculum implementation is greatly dream back by the lack of finance as workshops and seminars that are necessary to sensitiveteacher and educationists across the country cost a lot of money.

3.       Frequent turnover of teachers.

                   The frequent turnover of teachers is caused by so many factors.One factor that plays a primary role is the excessive number of temporary and or parttime teachers.

4.       Policy changes.

                     Another factor that affects curriculum development is the frequent changes in educational policies.

5.       Rapid increase in knowledge.

                      Due to the development of science and technology,it become more tasking for the curriculum development process as knowledge becomes obsolete quickly hence the need for constant review of the curriculum,the method and materials of instruction.

6.       Review when needed.

                         Another important factor is that about review.

7.       Poor  ICT.

                       The world is developing at a rapid rate and therefore,even when the curriculum is updated,a new problem of meeting the requirements of the new elements added to the curriculum develops.

8.       Lack of trained and well informed teachers.

9.       Inflexibility of curriculum.

10.   Many exam bodies.

                        Different examination bodies have their different standards and techniques,not to talk of approaches to questions.

11.   Unwelcoming attitude to change.

                         Some teachers are soused to how they previously taught their subject.This makes it difficult to implement new curriculum.

                                                

                                          A curriculum is a set of courses,course work and topics,offered in schools.A curriculum is simple terms is the aggregate of subjects/courses and topics that are being or should be offered in schools.