Parallel Session 6A: Curriculum for Post-Primary Education

1. ADEA 2008 Biennale on Education in Africa Beyond Primary Education: Challenges and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in Africa Parallel Session 6A: Curriculum for Post-Primary Education Relevance of selected African lower secondary education curricula for pupils’ future life and work Presenter: Dakmara GEORGESCU (UNESCO IBE, commissioned by GTZ) Beyond Primary Education: Challenges of and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in AfricaAssociation for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA)Biennale 2008 on Post-Primary Education

2. ADEA 2008 Biennale on Education in Africa Beyond Primary Education: Challenges and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in Africa Problem statement • Preparation for life and work in selected Sub-Saharan countries: how the written curriculum encourages the development of life-relevant competencies in learners • To identify effective practices of encouraging the development of life-relevant competencies through the written/intended curriculum, as well as aspects to be improved • To highlight differences and similarities among countries analyzed • To provide recommendations to strengthen the development of life-relevant competencies through the formal curriculum especially in post primary (lower secondary) education Beyond Primary Education: Challenges of and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in AfricaAssociation for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA)Biennale 2008 on Post-Primary Education

3. ADEA 2008 Biennale on Education in Africa Beyond Primary Education: Challenges and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in Africa Research methodology • Comparative Study commissioned by GTZ • Qualitative research: Four case studies (South Africa, Botswana, Mali, Congo); Six reference country studies (Angola, Burundi, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Senegal); Two developed countries (Australia/NSW and UK/England) • Analysis of the written/intended curriculum (i.e. Curriculum Frameworks, Syllabuses and other) based on an Analytical Framework and specific research questions (i.e. what evidence can be gathered from curriculum documents that countries emphasise the development of life-relevant competencies in students) Beyond Primary Education: Challenges of and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in AfricaAssociation for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA)Biennale 2008 on Post-Primary Education

4. ADEA 2008 Biennale on Education in Africa Beyond Primary Education: Challenges and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in Africa Main results • Competency-based approaches in most countries analyzed as part of comprehensive education reform processes • Rationales linking curriculum changes to developments in today’s (and tomorrow’s) world • Special curriculum solutions: ‘carrier-subjects’, cross-cutting approaches and flexibility • Less emphasis on teaching and learning strategies, and the appropriate assessment of competencies • Less emphasis on life, business and work ethics; gender issues; and how to effectively link theory and action in the curriculum discourse Beyond Primary Education: Challenges of and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in AfricaAssociation for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA)Biennale 2008 on Post-Primary Education

5. ADEA 2008 Biennale on Education in Africa Beyond Primary Education: Challenges and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in Africa Main lessons learned • Enhanced though varied awareness of new challenges and opportunities in life and the world of work requiring appropriate education/curriculum responses • Different types and degrees of stakeholders’ participation in curriculum processes • Differences among countries with regard to the way the curriculum discourse inspires and supports the development of life-relevant competencies in an adequate technical manner Beyond Primary Education: Challenges of and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in AfricaAssociation for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA)Biennale 2008 on Post-Primary Education

6. ADEA 2008 Biennale on Education in Africa Beyond Primary Education: Challenges and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in Africa Conclusions: Main messages • Defining the nature and scope of basic education: what is post primary education preparing for? • Involving stakeholders and adopting context-specific solutions • Integrating modalities of student counselling • Competency-based approaches to be accompanied by appropriate ‘curriculum organizers’ • Curriculum documents to contain guidance for teachers • Tensions and dilemmas to be tackled openly • Quality assurance to accompany all phases of curriculum development and implementation • Strategic approaches to capacity development • Sharing and learning from both successes and failures Beyond Primary Education: Challenges of and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in AfricaAssociation for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA)Biennale 2008 on Post-Primary Education