Does Currirulum Really Matter? (Part 2)

So, I raised the question in my last message - does curriculum really matter?

Why have many big international schools forsaken their own National Curriculum for an international curriculum like the British or U.S. curriculum? Is it just a marketing ploy? Do they genuinely feel that the international curricula are better than their own? If they claim to offer a blended curriculum, how is this being done? And what training have teachers had on the implementation of an international or blended curriculum?

Many schools have asked me to help them ‘blend’ the British and Nigerian curriculum and I have refused - why? To blend a curriculum well, it takes time, diligence, and resources to ensure that both curricula are represented, and if there is no follow through with regards to long term professional development, then it is destined to fail or to be done badly!

So, what is my opinion on the Nigerian curriculum - I use Nigeria as my case study because I spend most of my time there. Here is my evaluation:

* it is rich in content and culture

* in terms of Science and Mathematics, the content is of a higher academic level that the British curriculum;

* it promotes a level of understanding of civic and political matters and social and economic issues;

* it offers a level of national pride through language and culture.

HOWEVER, only if it is taught well!

Conversely, the following is also true:

* English language and literature are not taught well, as evidenced by the low levels of literacy across the nation;

* the ICT curriculum is obsolete - how can you be teaching ICT skills from a textbook in a world that is leveraging and will continue to leverage on technology??

* The Nigerian curriculum is knowledge and content focused and does not encourage the development of SKILLS, and critical thinking and problem solving.

* the curriculum does not develop interpersonal and creative skills, rather it encourages ‘cramming’, retention, and repetition.

So why do I still feel that throwing out the Nigerian curriculum would be like throwing the baby out with the bath water? Perhaps, like I state, it has produced some highly intelligent, articulate and academically sound individuals whom I have had the privilege of meeting.

One of the other considerations we need to explore is how this curriculum is delivered - often by unqualified and inexperienced ‘teachers’, graduates who very often cannot get a job in their chosen field so decide to try teaching; classes that are overcrowded - built for 30 students but accommodating up to 80/100 students; classrooms that are not equipped or fit for purpose; outdated books, resources and teaching methodologies and an exam process that is systemically corrupt! Students with the lowest JAMB scores are those offered courses in the Colleges of Education - whether they want to be teachers or not!! How then, are they ever going to be the passionate, committed teachers that their students deserve?

So, what do I think needs to be done to ensure the future of Nigerian/African children? In part 3, we will begin to explore some solutions. In the meantime, why don’t you share your thoughts with me. Do you agree with me? Disagree? What do YOU think is the solution?