The government has capped the number of topics learners will write in Ordinary and Advanced Level examinations as part of the key points in the new heritage-based curriculum.
The new curriculum is due to start at the start of the second term in May, with the government saying learners must write no more than four A-level subjects and eight O-level subjects.
However, the cap is likely to be implemented next year as most learners have already registered for this year’s exams.
Speaking to Sunday News, the Director of Communications and Advocacy at the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Mr Taungana Ndoro, said the new curriculum is strict on the number of subjects learners can sit at O and A levels.
“This is a subsequent curriculum that supports the previous competency-based curriculum. Now we have the heritage-based curriculum, and we have developed methods to activate this curriculum.
“One of the major highlights is the issue of five compulsory learning areas as well as a cap on the subjects that learners can write. Learners must write a maximum of eight subjects at O level and a maximum of four subjects at A level, and no more than four,” Mr Ndoro said.
He stressed the need for parents and guardians to be aware of the disadvantages of allowing their children to record more material than necessary.
“Our message is very clear, it is important that your child specializes in the areas they are good at. We have five compulsory areas or subjects at O level, and one can then take three elective subjects to make it eight. This makes the average O level candidate, who can progress to O level A and university. The same applies to A level, with a minimum of three subjects and a maximum of four subjects. “We usually only want three because when students go to university, they only think about the best three subjects, and the rest are not taken,” Mr Ndoro stressed. in consedration”.
He said students should focus their strengths on those topics that need specialization rather than writing multiple topics that will not help them while continuing their education.
“We don’t want an education system where learners write 15 subjects at O-level and 10 subjects at A-level. It becomes unnecessary and meaningless. What we want is to simplify and get the best value from our heritage-based curriculum,” Mr Ndoro said.
He said that the ministry will visit schools to monitor how the new curriculum is implemented.
“As schools open in May, the Ministry will be monitoring the implementation of the heritage-based curriculum. We are very excited that it is being embraced by a lot of our schools and teachers, unlike the previous curriculum where there was a Continuous Assessment Learning Activity (CALA) component which was not gaining traction. Fairly popular, this item appears popular and accepted by all stakeholders Mr Ndoro said.
Recently, the media has categorized learners who pass multiple subjects at both levels of secondary education.
However, Mr Ndoro said the simplification of examination subjects under the heritage-based curriculum also refers to government subsidy on examination fees for those in public schools where a 55 per cent subsidy applies to a maximum of seven O-level subjects and four A-level subjects. communication skills.
Students who wish to go beyond the subjects stipulated under the support will have to pay for additional subjects at the full fee cost.
The full examination fee, less financial support according to Zimsec, is set at US$24 for O-level candidates while A-level pays US$48. Sunday mail
