AN ANALYSIS OF SINGLE NATIONAL CURRICULUM OF GENERAL SCIENCE AT PRIMARY LEVEL WITH THE LENS OF 21ST CENTURY SKILLS

Abstract

21st century skills are regarded as the capabilities and the competencies which are considered as essential for improving the ways of thinking and learning and for success in the modern contemporary world. The study directed at investigating the integration and inclusion of 21st century skills in recent curriculum reforms i.e Single National Curriculum (SNC) at Primary Level via document analysis. The research followed method of qualitative thematic analysis for scrutiny of General Science Curriculum at Primary Level. The investigation thoroughly examined the content of the General Science Curriculum (Grade 5) via document analysis to seek its provision for insertion and inclusion of 21st century skills in the teaching-learning process. The investigation also sought narratives of curriculum developers and experts regarding incorporation of 21st century skills in the curricular reforms through interviews. The research conducted thematic analysis to scrutinize the SNC document and to further analyse the semi-structured interview data. The study found that sufficient consideration is being given for integrating 21st century skills in SNC in the subject of science but there is an acute need of raising sufficient awareness and professional capacity building of teachers regarding their enclosure in the education mainstream. Insufficient teacher training and scarcity of teaching learning resources are the major challenges in this regard.