How Zimbabwe’s New Heritage-Based Curriculum Seeks to Modernize Education

By Regina Pasipanodya

For almost two years John Mkhandla (39) has watched his (now) form one pupil spending hours glued on his desk working from one project to another.

The poor child has to work on assessment activities for each subject.

As a parent who had studied during a different era where they only had four subjects at the primary level, he could not understand anything but just felt pity for the child.

“At first I just thought this was one of the tricks of the young man to avoid household chores. But as days passed I realized it has become a new norm after the introduction of the Continuous Assessment Learning Project (CALA),” said Mkhandla.

The CALA system which was effected in 2021 has not been popular with stakeholders calling for it to be scrapped.

Some education advocacy groups emphasized that the CALA system has been a burden on students as they had to attend to so many projects and at the same time it disadvantaged the already struggling rural-based students across the country due to a lack of resources to implement the demands of the curriculum.

However, this year the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education school-based project under the Heritage-Based Curriculum (HBC) seeks to modernize education.

Mkhandla is also one of the parents who are optimistic that the HBC could be a game changer for students as it will reduce pressure on children.

“From my understanding, the HBC will be school-based “meaning they will be less work for parents as compared to CALA,” he added

According to a Ministry report the new curriculum will integrate cultural heritage and practical skills and introduce modern teachings methods, update assessment strategies and learning outcomes tailored to equip students with the skills needed for a rapidly advancing digital

In a statement recently, Publicity Director Taungara Ndoro emphasized that the transition to the Heritage-Based Curriculum may include updated teaching methodologies, assessment strategies and learning outcomes.

Here is the comparison of the Competence-Based Curriculum (CBC) and Heritage-Based Curriculum (HBC) as highlighted by the Ministry;

# Similarities
1. _Focus on practical skills_: Both CBC and HBC emphasize the development of practical skills and competencies.
2. _Emphasis on real-world application_: Both approaches focus on preparing students for real-world challenges and applications.
3. _Student-centered learning_: Both CBC and HBC prioritize student-centered learning, where students take an active role in their learning process.

# Differences
1. _Focus_:
– CBC: Focuses on developing specific skills and competencies required for the workforce or specific professions.
– HBC: Focuses on preserving and promoting cultural heritage, traditions, and values.
2. _Curriculum design_:
– CBC: Typically designed around specific learning outcomes, competencies, and skills.
– HBC: Often designed around cultural themes, traditions, and historical events.
3. _Assessment methods_:
– CBC: Typically uses competency-based assessments, such as practical exams, projects, and portfolios.
– HBC: May use a combination of traditional assessments (e.g., written exams) and alternative assessments (e.g., cultural performances, exhibitions).
4. _Teaching methods_:
– CBC: Often employs experiential learning, project-based learning, and problem-based learning.
– HBC: May incorporate traditional teaching methods, such as storytelling, apprenticeships, and community-based learning.
5. _Learning outcomes_:
– CBC: Focuses on developing specific skills, competencies, and knowledge required for the workforce.
– HBC: Aim to promote cultural awareness, appreciation, and preservation, as well as develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity skills.

# Implications for Education
1. _CBC_: Prepares students for the workforce and specific professions, but may not provide a comprehensive understanding of cultural heritage.
2. _HBC_: Fosters cultural awareness, appreciation, and preservation, but may not provide the same level of practical skills.

Ultimately, both CBC and HBC have their strengths and weaknesses. A balanced approach that incorporates elements of both may provide students with a well-rounded education that prepares them for the workforce while also promoting cultural awareness and appreciation.