The National Science Centre says has recognized and appreciated the inclusion of Competence Based Education in advancing the education system in the country.
National Science Centre, Director, Benson Banda says since the Ministry of Education changed the country’s school curriculum, the programme is now yielding good results with regards to building critical thinkers for the betterment of the society and the industry as a whole.
Professor Banda was speaking during the NSC assessment tour in Lusaka, meant to track the impact of the new Competence Based Curriculum on learner output, citing that though it is a long term process, progress has been shown.
“For the country to go somewhere, the type of education used is what drives economic growth. The best resource we have is the environment where the learners are conducting hands-on work,” he said.
He explained that the learners are being supported at school, as well as at home, stating that it is one of the ways to inculcate independent thinking in the learners.
The tracking mission, involved about five learners from David Kaunda National STEM Secondary School, to check the impact of the Competence Based Curriculum in a practical sense.
The competence based curriculum is largely focused on the learner’s progress, particularly proving their competence based on their speed, pace as well as depth of the curriculum.
Learners that have so far benefited from the new curriculum, praised the curriculum, dubbing it as a hands-on system that has assisted them in being independent thinkers.
13 year old, David Kaunda National STEM Secondary School, a form two pupil, Dewin Sichilima has hailed the competence based curriculum, citing that it keeps one to develop critical thinking, while another 13 year old, Gael Kalombo, from the same school expressed the process as a builder of future alternatives in economic growth.
Earlier, speaking to the Media, David Kaunda National STEM Secondary School Head Teacher, Maureen Tonga said the new curriculum has yielded visible positive results.
Mrs Tonga noted that the programme has inculcated an independent culture in the learners, noting that they are able to go back in the community and apply what they learn at school.
Meanwhile, parents to the learners have also hailed the government for its progressive decision to introduce the Competence Based Curriculum.
John Banda, a parent from Obama, noted that the new curriculum looks at posterity as it prepares learners to take over the country well, while another parent from Lilayi, Kalombo Kalombo, expressed happiness for the significant growth he has seen in his son who has a backyard garden at home.
“At this pace, within three years, our educational system will progress for the better,” Dr Kalombo noted.
