Ministry of Education Assesses Effectiveness of Competence-Based Curriculum in Homes book

The Ministry of Education, through the National Science Centre, has carried out a field assessment to evaluate how effectively learners are applying skills gained from the Competence-Based Curriculum in their home environments.

The assessment involved visits to eight households drawn from different socio-economic backgrounds, a move the Ministry said was deliberate to ensure equity and inclusiveness in evaluating the curriculum’s impact across diverse lifestyles.

The exercise was coordinated by Ministry of Education Assistant Director and Head of Communication, Ms. Kunda Mando, and led by National Science Centre Director, Professor Benson Banda, who addressed the media during the assessment.

Professor Banda said the objective of the exercise was to go beyond conventional academic assessment and instead measure practical competence among learners.

“We want to track if the learners are doing and not just knowing. The curriculum is largely premised on the progression of the learners. As you interact with these students, you will be able to see to what extent they have been learning and applying,” Professor Banda said.

He explained that the Competence-Based Curriculum is designed to ensure that learning outcomes translate into real-world skills, enabling learners to demonstrate creativity, problem-solving ability, and innovation outside the classroom.

Professor Banda further noted that the CBC is structured to benefit a wide range of stakeholders, including learners, parents, and society at large. He said the competencies developed under the curriculum can be applied in various situations and serve as a catalyst for value addition across different sectors of the economy.

According to the NSC Director, the approach marks a significant shift in Zambia’s education system from rote learning to skills-based education that equips learners to respond effectively to real-life challenges.

The Ministry of Education says findings from the assessment will inform future policy decisions, curriculum refinement, and implementation strategies as it continues to strengthen the nationwide delivery of the Competence-Based Curriculum.