Linking Theory to Practice: Perspectives on Practical Measures and Policies in Enhancing the Implementation of the Localised curriculum in Mwansabombwe District of Zambia

Abstract

The relevance of the school curriculum cannot be over emphasised in every form of education system. Of vital importance in the upholding of curriculum relevance in any society is the insurance that it is well contextualised or localised. When the curriculum is not contextualised and its implementation process not localised, the education system risk producing learners in a vacuum who may not eventually play a significant role in solving various societal glitches. If a country is to achieve rapid economic growth however, its education should be related to productivity (Bishop, 1985). Some of the solutions to problems currently encountered in African societies and communities Zambia inclusive, must proceed from understanding the dynamics with the local context. It is from this background that this study was undertaken to explore perspectives on practical measures and policies in enhancing the implementation of the localised curriculum in Mwansabombwe district of Zambia. The researchers used qualitative research approach specifically descriptive research design to collect, analyse and interpret data. Out of the study population of 30,000 residents of Mwansabombwe district, 50 respondents were purposively sampled whose break downs were as follows; 10 local community members, 10 learners, 20 teachers, 5 officers from Mwansabombwe District Education Board Secretary’s office (DEBS) and 5 Education Standards Officers. Both semi structured interview guide and focus group discussion guide were used to collect data and content analysis was used to analyse the collected data. Research findings revealed that there was no effective implementation of the localised curriculum in Mwansabombwe district. This was necessitated by lack of appropriate practical measures by the Ministry of Education (MoE) to address key issues such as those that had to do with; teaching and learning materials, lack of capacity building amongst the teaching staff, lack of motivation amongst the learners, teachers and community members as well as ignorance on pertinent issues surrounding the localisation of the curriculum amongst various stakeholders. Hence from the research findings, it was recommended that the MoE need to thoroughly conduct both needs assessment and situation analysis for the localisation of the curriculum to be effectively implemented in Zambian schools. Besides, the MoE needed to reinforce policy on localisation of the curriculum in schools if the country was to achieve the intended results about the localised curriculum.