Curriculum

In the quest to achieve education for all, we must never forget what education is for. Getting children into school is not an end in itself: the quality of the education they receive is just as important. A paralysing or unrealistic curriculum, too many administrative chores and unsupportive management can all contribute to a demotivating environment in schools.

Communities should have the right to plan curriculum and strategies for their children's education according to the community's specific needs, aspirations, culture and language to achieve the national goals of education.

Developing learning and teaching materials
This is why ActionAid works to develop locally-appropriate learning and teaching materials, which often have a specific focus, such as sexual health, HIV & AIDS, gender sensitivity or non-violence.

In many contexts the priority is to produce materials that relate the curriculum to the local economy or culture, drawing on traditional knowledge and skills, so that children in school do not feel alienated from their local environment and their own families.

In regular refresher or in-service training workshop teachers are given time, space and raw materials to produce their own teaching-learning materials. They are encouraged to use creative skills so that children can learn through games, songs, pictures and drama. Where possible local parents are also involved in producing materials to relate the curriculum to the local environment.

Active participation
In Uganda, many Reflect approaches were introduced in local schools in Mubende to help children participate more actively in classes. Children have constructed maps, calendars, matrices and diagrams on a large scale in the school playground, relating their learning to the local community.

The Reflect approach is being adapted for use in schools in many contexts, most recently in the UK itself for teaching active global citizenship. This is just one of many examples where our experiences in Africa, Asia and Latin America can be relevant for work in Europe.

photo : ©Kalpesh Lathigra/ NB Pictures/ ActionAid