Implementing a History Competency-Based Curriculum: Teaching and Learning Activities for a Zambian School History Classroom

Abstract

In 2013, there was a curriculum review and development process in Zambia. The Zambian education system adopted a competency-based curriculum. The purpose of the curriculum was to provide learners with skills, knowledge, and values that can enable them to compete at a global level. A competency-based curriculum is a complete paradigm shift from a content-based curriculum that merely focuses on the acquisition of knowledge. Thus, there is a need for teachers to interpret the competency-based curriculum correctly so that they could implement it effectively. In a competency-based curriculum, a teacher needs to design activities that can help learners to cultivate the desired competences in their field of study. These activities could be individual learner activities and participative activities. Teaching and learning activities that can be used in the teaching and learning of History include research, group work, discussions, question and answer method, role-plays, drama, field trips, debate, and teacher exposition. In conclusion, a brief analysis of the implications of teaching using the competency-based curriculum has been done.