Secondary School Curriculum Research Articles

Elementarizing quantum algorithms: clarification of the internal structure and preliminary learning outcomes

Introducing elements of quantum information and computation in the secondary school curriculum is a trend which has very recently emerged in physics education. In this paper we describe a tentative elementarization scheme for the information processing phase of quantum algorithms, and report on a preliminary evaluation of its feasibility on Italian self-selected secondary school students in distance learning. While the test was conducted on a very small sample in special conditions, this work of clarification promoted a consistent understanding of the algorithmic structure in informational terms and, at least partially, in physical ones. The feasibility test had for us a positive outcome, which led to refinements of the approach and further tests, also on curricular teaching, which were performed from 2022 onwards.

Noise Pollution and its Impacts in Selected Secondary Schools in Ikorodu Division Area of Lagos, South-Western Nigeria

Noise pollution has been a major challenge in schools which is adjudged to affect the health of the students. The noise levels of twelve selected secondary schools in Ikorodu division of Lagos were measured with the aid of a smart sensor sound level meter AS844+. Noise level, humidity and temperature of the schools were measured at three points within the school premises between 9 am – 10 am, 11 am – 12 Noon and 1 pm to 2 pm. The measurements were taken at 1-minute intervals for 1 hour at each period. 120 questionnaires were distributed to students to determine the effects of noise on their well-being. The Results revealed that the Duncan PostHoc mean noise levels of the classrooms of the schools selected for this study were in the range of 57.84±2.74 dBA to 86.68±4.12 dBA, mean humidity ranges from 54.33±6.10 % to 74.72±2.42 % and temperature ranges from 30.45±0.67 0C to 37.29±2.43 0C. This noise level was significantly above the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended classroom and outdoor noise level. Statistical analysis of the responses from the questionnaires distributed shows that headache and stress are the major effects of noise on the respondents with 84.17% and 63.33% agreement respectively. It is recommended that effects and ways of reducing noise in schools should be introduced into the curriculum of secondary schools for optimum academic performance and improved well-being.

Pelatihan Aplikasi Responsive Web dan Konten Web Dalam Pemrograman Web Multimedia

Training responsive web applications and web content in multimedia web programming, with a focus on case studies at SMK Telkom 1 Field. Learning multimedia web programming has become an important aspect of the educational curriculum in vocational secondary schools. The study aims to analyze the effectiveness of such training in improving students' skills in developing responsive web applications and generating quality web content. Data collection methods involve observations, interviews, and analysis of curriculum-related documents as well as training results. Research results show that training responsive web applications and web content makes a positive contribution in improving students' understanding and skills in multimedia web development. This research provides important insights for the development of educational curricula and implementation of more effective learning strategies in the field of multimedia web programming in secondary education institutions.

Teachers’ Perception on Implementing the Revised Lower Secondary Curriculum in Selected Schools in Uganda: A Focus on Emerging Issues and Coping Strategies

This study explored teachers’ perception on the implementation of Comptency-based Curriculum (CBC) in lower secondary schools in Uganda that was rolled out in 2020. The shift from the Knowledge-Based Curriculum (KBC) to CBC caused a cultural shock to those who had been nurtured in a purely teacher-centred curriculum! Teachers got challenged over their authority and autonomy in the delivery of instruction. Discussion was centred on teachers’ readiness to implement; pedagogical competences to plan, facilitate and assess CBC. In this phenomenological study, data was collected from 12 randomly selected secondary schools in urban, semi-urban and rural areas of Uganda. The population comprised teachers of Lower Secondary, Directors of Studies and Headteachers. Data was analyzed qualitatively through codes and themes and reported thematically, backed with verbatim quotations and statements from participants. Majority of the teachers were struggling with gaps in planning and content delivery, CBC stimulated hands-on-learning, teachers’ preparedness was considerably low due to lack of prior training, ICT integration was still an uphill task, majority of teachers were still stuck to traditional methodologies. CBC is too demanding and ambitious! NCDC should, therefore, design retooling packages for continuous capacity building, schools should promote peer mentorship, collaboration and Network initiatives.

Total Quality Management Practices and their Influence on Curriculum Implementation: Experiences from Selected High Schools in Zimbabwe

The aim of this study was to explore the influence of Total Quality Management practices on new secondary school curriculum framework (2015-2022)’s teaching and learning activities in a selected district in Zimbabwe. The study had two main objectives: to explain the relevance of Total Quality Management practices in teaching and learning activities and to establish approaches that are used when integrating Total Quality Management practices in teaching and learning activities. The research was based on a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods, to allow for integrated analysis procedures by the researchers. For this study, the sample comprised 110 respondents from 10 purposively selected secondary schools. Data was collected through the use of literature method, semi-structured questionnaire, and interviews. Numerical data was analysed through the use of frequencies and percentages, with the non-numerical data being analysed according to emerging themes. The analysed data revealed that Total Quality Management practices were relevant in the implementation of the new high school curriculum implementation. The results revealed that Total Quality Management practices can be used in the implementation of the new high school curriculum. In addition, the analysed data revealed some of the approaches that can be used in the implementation of the new high school curriculum. In conclusion, Total Quality Management practices have an influence on the quality of interactions in the new high school curriculum’s teaching and learning activities. Therefore, the findings of this study will guide the revision of education policies to improve teaching and learning practices that prioritize the needs of students.

Examining the use of teaching and learning aids in the classrooms: An empirical analysis

The importance of using Teaching and Learning Aids (TLAs) is strongly emphasised in the secondary school curriculum documents of Tanzania. Despite this, many in-service teachers appear reluctant to incorporate them into their teaching practices. This research aims to explore the factors influencing this reluctance to use TLAs. The study also proposes strategies to encourage their effective utilisation. Conducted using a phenomenographic design, the research is based on 30 in-depth interviews with teachers purposefully selected from eight public secondary schools in the Njombe Urban district. Eventually, the collected data were subjected to the thematic analysis approach to unearth the key findings emerging from the study. In terms of the reasons for teachers' reluctance to use TLAs, the thematic analysis identified three main themes- long experience syndrome and lack of professional commitment, lack of government support, and lack of professional support. As for the suggestive strategies to reverse the situation, four major themes were identified namely teachers’ professional development, availability of resources, and effective follow–up strategy. The findings suggest that regular seminars should be organised by school leaders and the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology to increase teachers’ awareness of the importance of using TLAs in teaching. Furthermore, both internal and external quality assurers in charge of school supervision should ensure that all teachers use instructional resources as recommended by the Ministry.

Teaching Practice on Sámi Topics in Schools: A Mixed Methods Study from the South Saepmie Region of Norway

The Norwegian primary and secondary school curriculum from 2020 (LK20) clearly states that the history, cultural life, and rights of the indigenous Sámi people should be included in the school practice. This study addresses how objectives in the subject-specific plans with Sámi content are taught and explores, in addition, teachers’ experiences and reflections on these topics. To investigate this, an electronic questionnaire with open and closed questions was sent to all primary and secondary schools in the South Saepmie region of Norway. The results indicate that a high degree of the respondents include Sámi culture and tradition in their teaching, and there is a variation in their teaching from happenings on February 6th to interdisciplinary projects. The teachers report a lack of competence and call for a greater emphasis on Sámi topics in the teacher education programs. A lack of available teaching aids is experienced even though many found other resources locally and, e.g., on the internet. They experienced, however, an increase in the availability of teaching aids in recent years. The respondents pointed out, however, that inadequate teacher competence and a lack of teaching aids strongly limited the respondents’ possibility to teach Sámi topics in school. Consequently, more teaching aids should be developed, and Sámi content in continuing and teacher education programs should be strengthened.

Textbook Sets Through the Perspective of the Orientation of the Intended Chemistry Curriculum for Primary and Secondary Schools

Textbooks have a central role in chemistry education and represent the intended chemistry curriculum at the national level. This paper focuses on analysing the intended chemistry curriculum as represented by the visual representations and the activities for students in the textbook sets in relation to the topics of the Slovenian National Chemistry Curriculum both at the primary and secondary school levels. The analysis involved all textbook sets approved by the national representatives for the 2021/2022 school year. The results revealed that in most of the curriculum topics in the analysed Slovenian chemistry textbook sets, the curriculum orientation structure of the discipline prevails and the everyday life orientation is present for both primary and secondary schools. To improve the relevance of the textbook sets for students, the currently rare presence of history of chemistry, environmental orientation, and technology and industry orientation and the lack of the use of socio-scientific orientation should be overcome. It would be valuable if further studies in textbook sets would also address the intended chemistry curriculum from a more holistic perspective.

Peace Education and Conflict Prevention in Somalia

This study focused on Peace Education and Conflict Prevention in Somalia. The specific objectives of the study were to find out the different perceptions of the Somali people on peace education and conflict prevention in Somalia, to explore the importance of peace education in conflict prevention in Somalia and to determine the relationship between peace education and conflict prevention in Somalia. The study used qualitative research design using documentary analysis of various perspectives of the Somali people and that of scholars. The goal of the researcher was to expose the perspective of Somali educators on the importance of peace education and the possible causes and consequences of the conflict as well as the relationship that exist between peace education and conflict in Somalia. This study carried out a critical review of existing literature with in-depth interviews with key informants from the education sector. By employing qualitative approach in the study, the researcher carried out a thorough investigation into a wide range of secondary. Data was collected via the use of documentary review and interview guide. The study also relied on secondary data from textbooks, journals, and academic papers. The main findings of the study revealed that that peace education contributes to conflict prevention in Somalia. This was clearly revealed from the finding of the study where majority of the respondents an overwhelming majority of over (90%) of the participants in the study showed positive and relevant perception about peace education being the best tool that can be used to prevent conflict in Somalia, the study revealed that (100%) of the participants in the study agreed that peace education is vastly important in as far as conflict prevention is concerned in Somalia and lastly the study revealed that (100%) of the participants agreed and noted that peace education is related to conflict prevention. The study recommends that the Ministry of Education of the Federal Republic of Somalia and should reform and revise the current secondary and primary schools curriculum and then incorporate peace education with all the required contents which are instrumental in providing in-depth knowledge and skills to prevent conflict in Somalia, the Ministry of Education of Somalia should review the structure of the peace education programme goals, and its organization in order to bear fruits it is prepared for. Teachers, students, and parents are not familiar with the target goals and structure of peace education in Somalia. It is in this context that the program is still unpopular among these groups of people and the Federal Government of Somalia should ensure proper and timely training of teachers on peace education.

Development and State of the Art of Entrepreneurship Education: A Bibliometric Review

Entrepreneurship education (EE) plays a vital role in fostering an entrepreneurial culture and promoting the growth of the small- and medium-sized business sector in a nation. Research on EE has advanced extremely rapidly in the last two decades. These changes are evident not only in the quantity of published works but also in the evolving methods of academic communication, the rise of emerging nations as prominent contributors to EE research, and the shifting areas of focus in study themes. This current study aims to provide a comprehensive picture of these processes based on a big-data-centred bibliometric analysis of a corpus of 3787 articles that appeared in the Web of Science literature database. The bibliographic metadata was analysed using Biblioshiny, CitNetExplorer, and VOSviewer. To understand the most significant development trends, researchers employed the triangulation method, which included scientific mapping and epistemological analysis in addition to standard tools of bibliometric analysis. This has led to the identification of some study needs. First, improving EE methods in secondary school curricula; second, EE in adult education and the practicality of the findings for andragogy; third, EE in least developed countries and its unique challenges; fourth, combining EE with internet-based, innovative training and education approaches like gamification and simulations; fifth, EE’s role and methodological development in societal economic integration; and sixth, women’s unique EE requirements. On top of that, this study provides the basis for policymakers and practitioners to consider incorporating entrepreneurial education programmes, which can help to create a prosperous entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Schools’ support in the implementation of the Emancipated Curriculum in secondary schools in Indonesia

Schools’ support in the implementation of the Emancipated Curriculum in secondary schools in Indonesia

Conversations across international divides: Children learning through empathy about climate change

AbstractPrimary school curricula often largely avoid the climate crisis, and teachers feel ill‐equipped to teach it. In the secondary school curriculum, the climate crisis is generally addressed only in specific subjects such as science or geography. Our own and others’ research indicates that children are curious about climate change and become less anxious when they feel agentic in facing its effects. The challenges of everyday life for children in parts of the world severely affected by the rapidly changing climate are seldom included in educational contexts. This article reports on a project that linked a school in a UK town with a school on a Fijian island to explore a holistic approach to understanding the impacts of climate change. The children aged 9 to 11 built friendships across the globe through film messages, email, written letters, and drawings. As part of getting to know one another, the children asked and answered questions about their lives. Those questions and other creative activities revealed children’s interests and priorities and the extent of their local and global knowledge and enabled us to consider a personalised approach to climate justice. By co‐creating and exchanging their stories the children could begin to understand the social and emotional impacts as well as the science of climate change. We discuss the role of empathy in children’s learning about climate change, and consider how connections across international divides can be facilitated.

On the Issue of Introducing the Subject “History of the Development of Religions” in Schools of Kyrgyzstan: Status and Problems

The work is devoted to the process of developing the educational subject “History of the Development of Religions”, introduced into the curriculum of secondary schools in Kyrgyzstan. The article analyzes the processes of piloting this subject in schools and considers the issue of providing support from foreign sponsors. An analysis of the existing problems that hindered the full implementation of this project was carried out. An empirical study was carried out among teachers teaching this subject in schools, which allows us to identify the first results, challenges and threats, as well as the reasons for discussions and disputes around the introduction of this educational subject. The key aspects of the process of changing the educational paradigm in the field of religious education were identified in the context of modern challenges and the dynamics of social life.

Investigating the beliefs of experts on teaching quantum physics at secondary schools: key concepts, topics, and fundamentals

This study presents the findings of a series of interviews conducted with 17 Italian academic experts in the field of physics. The interviews aimed at exploring various aspects of teaching quantum physics (QP) at the secondary school level. The focus was on evaluating the overall suitability of teaching QP, the benefit of introducing it with an historical approach, the necessary mathematical grounds, as well as foundational and controversial aspects, along with the topics that should be included in the curriculum. Based on the insights gathered from the interviews, a questionnaire was formulated and administered to 31 additional experts, with the primary objective of exploring the experts’ perspectives on whether QP should be included in secondary school curricula and the underlying reasons for their stance. Indeed, some of the scholars argue that teaching QP is crucial as it contributes to the promotion of scientific literacy, considering QP as one of the most significant cultural advancements in science over the past centuries. On the other hand, some experts believe that the emphasis should be placed on informing and educating society about quantum technologies and upcoming technological advancements. The second objective of this questionnaire was to further deepen the investigation into the key subjects that specialists deem essential for teaching at the secondary level. The results revealed a consensus among the experts regarding the concepts that hold significant importance, namely atomic energy levels and quantisation, particle behaviour of light, Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle, and probability, and regarding the examples, i.e. the photoelectric effect, spectral lines, and the double slit experiment. The last objective of the questionnaire was to address foundational and controversial aspects of QP that are relevant to high school curricula. This entailed examining the consensus among experts regarding their perspectives on the view of these topics. Lack of such consensus emerged.

An integrative review of secondary school quantum physics curricula in Malaysia

<span lang="EN-US">As a relatively new subject in the physics curriculum of Malaysian secondary schools, quantum physics (QP) raises questions about its relevance to students and the best approach for teaching it. This paper aims to analyze the content of the QP curriculum to provide students with a meaningful learning experience and expose them to the nature of science (NOS). To accomplish this, the Malaysian standard curriculum document known as </span><em><span lang="EN-US">Dokumen Standard Kurikulum dan Pentaksiran</span></em><span lang="EN-US"> (DSKP) and the textbook were analyzed through integrative review. Frameworks and perspectives identified by Stadermann and co-workers on the common trust of the QP curriculum in 15 different countries were used as a benchmark for this analysis. It is found that the QP curriculum in Malaysia focuses on the fundamental principle of understanding the quantum energy of light and its interaction with matter. However, it is also found that there are specific NOS aspects that can be highlighted to help students develop their scientific literacy. These might include emphasizing the philosophy of complementarity in explaining the wave-particle duality principle, the ultraviolet catastrophe, and the contradiction of classical physics interpretation with QP. It is suggested that the QP curriculum be improved by including these and other relevant examples to be on par with other countries. Overall, this analysis provides insight into the relevance and content of QP in Malaysian secondary schools. The proposed changes may help improve students’ learning experience and provide a more comprehensive understanding of the NOS.</span>

World literature and transformative learning

This study investigates how Tayeb Salih’s Season of Migration to the North (2006) can be read and taught as an example of world literature in accordance with the transformative and culturally empowering ambitions of the Swedish upper secondary school curriculum. A total of 18 third-year students in the upper secondary science programme read the novel and recorded their reading experiences in journals. These journals have been thematically analysed, and the results show that the students’ processes of deconstructing and reconstructing the finalised reading, using literary concepts, help forward estrangement effects, which produce critical readings. As the students read for the plot and closed in on the end, their text-centred understandings of the novel were heightened, and by actively using subject-specific terminology (i.e. stylistic devices and modes of reading concepts), they strengthened the sense-making of their relations to the world as mediated through the text. Frames of reference about historical and current Sudan support the students in allowing the novel to become a merging point, at which their cultural horizons are nuanced through the juxtaposing of different perspectives. The students’ meta-reflexive readings allow for experiencing culture on the move as part of their transformative learning.

Status of teaching and learning descriptive writing in Zanzibar secondary schools: a case of Wete District

This paper investigated the status of teaching and learning descriptive writing among Secondary Schools in Zanzibar. The paper focused on (i) Identifying the types of errors made by secondary school students in their descriptive writing skills and (ii) exploring teaching and learning materials in descriptive writing for secondary schools. A mixed method approach was used, and a case study design employed. Simple random sampling was used to select 140 form four students and they have given a test. Also, eight English language subject teachers and two quality assurers were purposively selected. Data were collected using students’ test, interview, and documentary reviews. The results depict that students had different errors such as grammatical errors, punctuation marks, coherence and content problems. Also, the findings show that many topics prosed using non-digital materials such as textbooks, and written text for teaching and learning descriptive writing in secondary schools. These materials were also not sufficient to give students ability and competence in descriptive writing in ordinary secondary schools. This indicates that there is a need for designing digital lessons for supporting teaching and learning descriptive writing for F1 students. The study concludes that proper teaching and learning digital contents lessons is needed to support teachers and motivate students in the teaching and learning of descriptive writing to secondary school students. To achieve effective descriptive writing to secondary school students, curriculum developers, teachers and other education stakeholders should emphasize on digital materials to motivate students in teaching and learning process.

Programming Religious Education in Secondary Schools at Catechetical Congresses in the Kingdom of Poland in the First Decade of the Twentieth Century

The subject of the article is the issue of developing a uniform religious education curriculum for secondary schools in the Kingdom of Poland. These activities were shown in connection with catechetical congresses of school prefects in the first decade of the 20th century in the Russian partition. These meetings became an opportunity to exchange ideas on the concepts of future religious education curricula and an attempt to develop a common version of the curriculum for the entire Kingdom of Poland. The main sources that were researched are materials from catechetical congresses of school prefects from that period, as well as framework and detailed curricula defining the content of religious teaching addressed to junior high school students.

Peace and Values Education as a Cross-Cutting Issue in Rwandan Schools: Teachers and Classroom-Based Perspective

Peace and values is one of the cross-cutting issues in the Rwandan primary and secondary school curriculum. Different organizations such as the Aegis Trust have trained teachers in integrating peace and values in the various subjects, they teach by training learners on how to build a culture of peace. This is very important to Rwanda as a post genocide. However, no research (at the best of our knowledge) has been conducted to investigate how and to what extent teachers integrate peace and values in various school subjects. This article reports on empirical research conducted in five primary schools in four provinces of Rwanda plus Kigali City to examine the teaching of peace and values in Rwandan schools. A qualitative approach was adopted for this research. Classroom observations, focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data. Thematic content analysis was used to analyse the data. The findings show that peace values are not part of teachers’ planning and are not explicitly referred to in classroom practices. This is mainly because teachers lack skills and knowledge to do so. However, some peace related messages are shared in extracurricular activities but these are counteracted by violent practices such as corporal punishment and bullying. This article concludes that teachers’ limited understanding of peace impedes the integration of peace culture in schools. Thus, it suggests that peace values should be explicitly and systematically integrated in the teaching of all subjects. It also calls for strong measures to end school violence in Rwandan schools by equipping teachers for positive management of learners’ behaviours.

A Cross-cultural Comparison of ELT Curricula of Senior Secondary Schools in Mainland China and Hong Kong

English holds significant importance as a foreign language in Mainland China and Hong Kong, where ongoing curriculum revisions are shaped by economic and sociocultural advancements. Previous research on English Language Teaching (ELT) curriculum comparisons in Asia has frequently overlooked the exploration of underlying sociocultural and socio-political factors that contribute to the observed similarities and differences. Adopting a governmentality Perspective informed by Dean's analytics of government theory, this cross-cultural comparative study investigates the ELT curricula in senior secondary schools in Mainland China and Hong Kong. Through this analysis, the study explores how sociocultural and socio-political factors interact to influence the educational landscapes. By examining the dimensions of problematizations, rationalities, techne, and teleology within the curricula, the research uncovers common challenges, rationales, approaches, and objectives, as well as distinctions arising from the unique sociocultural, political, and economic contexts of Mainland China and Hong Kong. This examination underscores the profound impact of these contextual factors on ELT curriculum design, contributing valuable insights to the cross-cultural discourse. Furthermore, the findings lay the groundwork for future research and policy development in the realm of ELT curricula, emphasizing the need for additional studies employing diverse methods and focusing on the implemented and experienced curriculum in senior secondary schools to provide a comprehensive understanding of English language education in both Mainland China and Hong Kong.