LAST week I shared some concerns about the revised format by the Examinations Council of Zambia (ECZ) under the revised curriculum.
Among the concerns I shared were why they have waited for the current Grade 12s to be in the final year to be oriented to the changes of the format papers.
I feel the supreme board in charge of grade 12s could have done a better job especially in this dispensation were grade 12 certificate has become very important.
On a lighter note even in politics, having a grade 12 certificate is a necessity. However, I still have faith that ECZ will do a tremendous work by sending sample papers in good time and stakeholders involved will be equal to the task.
This week I am dissecting changes made in social sciences which has witnessed a lot of changes. Social science has five subjects in Zambia which are Geography, History, Civic Education, Religious education, both 2044 and 2046, and Social Studies.
Social Studies is the new subject brought about after the amalgamation of Geography, History and Civic Education and last year Grade nine candidates were the first to sit for this paper.
Geography still has three papers for final Grade 12 examinations, Paper One – Multiple choice questions, Paper Two- Geography of Zambia and Sub-Region and Paper Three- Field Project.
However, under the revised curriculum which was launched in 2014 field work was not included in the syllabus and some other topics.
However, the ECZ found it necessary for leaners to be examined under this important topic because of the benefits that come along both to the learner and a teacher.
A leaner is empowered with researching skills at a tender age and when he/she goes to a university this becomes a good foundation.
Besides, a learner is also equipped with more knowledge on the topic which has been researched about. While a teacher benefits in terms of improving his/her researching skills and helps to broaden the knowledge on various topics.
For example there are certain information which a teacher may not have come across but through helping learners in writing their field projects he/she tends to broaden his/her knowledge.
However, during the SOSTAZ conference held in Samfya teachers were informed that 2016 and 2017 candidates will not submit their field projects.
This means the current Grade 12s and those in Grade 11 taking Geography will only sit for two papers; Paper One and Paper Two. Hence the first intake to sit for Paper Three will be the current Grade 10s who will be 2018 candidates.Even thoughGeneral Certificate of Education (GCE) are not exempted from submitting Geography Paper Three- Field Projects.
This is because in all the subjects, GCE candidates will be examined based on the old curriculum.
Geography Paper One has 50 questions with three sections. Section A has questions One to 12. Questions in Section A will be drawn from Map work, basic techniques and skills.
Section B will have questions from 13 to 33- questions will be drawn from Elements of Physical Geography based on mathematical computation, weather, climate and land forms.
While Section C has questions from 34 to 50 candidates will be asked on the elements of Human Geography both human and economic geography. Duration is still 1 hour 30 minutes.
Geography Paper Two- it has also experienced some changes especially in the format of the paper. Previously Geography paper used to have three sections and still has the same number of sections though the changes are in the number of questions from the previous 12 to 10. The lay out of the paper is as follows.
-Section A will have four (4) questions. Candidates will be examined about the Geography of Zambia. While Section B will have three (3) questions.
This is the sub-region section, hence questions will be asked about the geography of the sub-region, to be specific about Mining in sub-region with a focus on South Africa, Zimbabwe and Angola; Manufacturing industry in the sub-region with a keen focus on Zimbabwe and South Africa. Transport and Communication in the Sub-region, Energy and power in the sub-region, and Tourism in Kenya.
Section C will have three (3) questions. Questions will be drawn from Population Studies and Settlement Studies in Zambia   Candidates will still be required to attempt four (4) questions one from each section then a fourth one will be picked from any of the sections. Previously Geography Paper Two used to have 12 questions now it will have 10 questions.
However, teachers were encouraged to look closely at the syllabi especially the 2013 one.
If teachers will go on in teaching without a looking at the syllabus especially Geography, chances are very high that some will spend energy exploring topics that have not been included in the revised syllabus.
I think it is important for all the stakeholders at the school level to cooperate in implementing the new syllabus.
The school administrations should observe and advise teachers to teach according to the syllabi. Personally, being the first exams under the revised curriculum teachers should strive to complete the syllabus this is the only way pupils are going to be assisted.
Look out for next week’s article as I share more changes that have been made in the social sciences.
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