An investigation into the challenges faced by school heads in ensuring the implementation of the competence based curriculum at primary school level in Chitungwiza District in Zengeza area, Harare.

Abstract

In order for a curriculum to be successful school heads play a pivotal role in ensuring its implementation. This study sought to investigate challenges that school heads are facing in ensuring Competence Based Curriculum implementation in Chitungwiza District, Zengeza area. Qualitative research methods were adopted in this study. A sample of 10 primary school heads was randomly and purposively selected from a population of 15 schools. The sample comprised of 5 males heads and 5 female heads. The descriptive survey was used to carry out this study. Data was generated through questionnaires and interviews. The data collected was presented in the form of tables and interpreted with the support of reviewed literature. Key findings revealed that the Competence Based Curriculum is being implemented at a slow pace due to the challenges that school heads are facing in ensuring its implementation. The challenges highlighted by school heads involved in the study were mainly shortage of resources which include finance and material. Unskilled human resources, negative attitudes by teachers and work overload were also cited as other challenges that school heads are encountering in the process of ensuring Competence Based Curriculum implementation. The school heads involved in the study recommended for adequate resources to be availed to schools through relevant authorities and continuous teacher training for effective implementation of the Competence Based Curriculum.