ZOMBA--A two-week syllabus development workshop is underway in Zomba and participants have been advised to include vocational training and emerging issues such as climate change, overpopulation, gender and disaster risk management.

Raphael Agabu, Director of Inspectorate and Advisory Services in the Ministry of Education, told participants at the Malawi Institute of Education (MIE) in Zomba syllabus development for the secondary school was vital as students had to relate what they were learning with the real world.

“We have a lot of contemporary issues and there are challenges we are facing in order to develop. The syllabus should take into account the issue of climate change, entrepreneurship, HIV and Aids and information communication technology (ICT),” Agabu said.

He there was need to harmonize and synchronize the whole school curriculum to have a smooth transition from primary, secondary to tertiary education in the country.

Acting Deputy Director for MIE, Allison Mhlanga, said the new syllabus for secondary school would be based on what the learner wants to know not only based on exanimations.

He also said the syllabuses would also include vocation training elements to help prepare students for the workforce.

The secondary school syllabus was last reviewed in 2001.

The workshop which will end on 17 August would review and develop all the 26 subjects for forms 1 to 4 and has attracted participants from the University of Malawi, Catholic, Seventh Day and Mzuzu universities, technical schools,  teacher training colleges, Malawi Institute of Education, Malawi National Examination Board, and interested groups such as the Malawi Revenue Authority, National Aids Commission, Reserve Bank, Malawi Bureau of Standards and Anti Corruption Bureau.
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©2012 The Maravi Post. Reproduction authorised, with usual acknowledgment.

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