unit 6:curriculum implementation - Commonwealth of Learning

Cluster Level. This is a group of from three to five schools that
are either close together geographically or offer similar
subjects. A chairperson, normally a head of a school, is
selected. He or she becomes the subject coordinator at this
level. Representatives from schools meet and review common
concerns, which are then forwarded to the district level.
District Level. The boundaries of each district are determined
by the government. In Zimbabwe, a district is an area under a
single local government administrator or local authority
chairperson. Teacher representatives from each of the clusters
under one district meet. The chairpersons at this level are
District Education Officers or their representatives. Concerns
are discussed and pressing and common issues are forwarded
to the regional level or provincial level.
Regional Level. In some countries, the regional level may be
referred to as the provincial level. The boundaries are politically
determined. All concerns from districts are brought by a team
of three from each district. Ideally, the deputy Regional Director
chairs sessions at this level. However, the subject specialist
officers are usually tasked to chair and compile the concerns
for submission to the national level.
National Level. In Zimbabwe, there is a section in the Ministry
of Education that coordinates curriculum development. This is
referred to as the Curriculum Development Unit (CDU). In
countries like Malawi and Tanzania, the function is performed
by a parastatal.
Depending on the country, the following people could be on the
national panel.
• Subject Education Officers from headquarters and
provinces
• Subject teachers from each province
• One representative from the particular subject
association
• Lecturers from teacher training colleges; one secondary
and one primary teacher’s college
• Representatives from local universities
• Representatives from local technical colleges
• Representatives from the Examining Board if it is not the
Ministry of Education that is developing the standard
examination
• Representatives from professional associations related to
the subject under design or review
• Representatives from industry and commerce
• Researchers
Module 13, Unit 5: Designer of the Curriculum 42