An assessment of the implementation of the Competence Based Curriculum at Primary School level in Warren Park Cluster of Harare District

Abstract

This study sought to assess the implementation of the Competence Based Curriculum at primary level in Warren Park Cluster of Warren Park-Mabelreign District. The objectives of the study were to identify the challenges faced by Primary School teachers to explore the opportunities created and how the challenges experienced could be addressed. Data was collected from a sample of 4 four school heads in Warren Park Cluster investigated the strategies employed by educational leaders to address challenges faced. In order to better illustrate a more detailed picture of the strategies employed by educational leaders, a mixed method research design was implemented where data was collected using both qualitative and quantitative design. A survey was conducted, where twenty teachers from four schools purposefully selected were asked to fill in a questionnaire whilst interviews were conducted with six teachers, four school heads and SDC members. From this study, it was found that some strategies employed by educational leaders are not addressing the challenges faced in the implementation of CBC, for example, hot sitting. The teachers also indicated that they were failing to implement CBC due to lack of space and time, high pupil teacher ratio, lack of resources to further assist learners. There was a resolution that Government should ensure that there is adequate funding for the Competence Based Curriculum. Furthermore, there is need for training of teachers in order to effectively implement the Competence Based Curriculum correctly despite the challenges being faced.