Balance Between Some Sets of Variables In The Second Cycle Primary School Curriculum of Amhara National Regional State
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Date
2001-06
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Addis Ababauniversity
Abstract
The primary purpose of this study was to examine the balance between the three domains of objectives,
breadth and depth of the curriculum, theoretical and practical exercises and the time balance among the
subjects in the second cycle primary schools curriculum of Amhara Regional State.
For this purpose mainly a content analysis research method was used. In addition relevant information
was collected from teachers. Oata was collected from the syllabuses of the various subjects through
coding sheets. Besides, a questionnaire was used to collect data from teachers. To this end, various
statistical tools such as chi-square, percentage and correlation were used to analyze the data
The findings of the study revealed that there is time inadequacy in the science and social science subjects
especially at the upper two grade levels vis-a-vis the amount of the content of the subjects although
actually higher periods have been given to these subjects. On other hand, the time allocated for music and
art tend to be more than adequate. The time allotted for the other subjects seems stable. There was also a
wider gap among the three domain of objectives for the curriculum highly stresses on the cognitive domain
and the extremely less emphasis given to the affective domain. The higher weight given to the lower level
of objectives especially in the cognitive domain and to the expository type of teaching methods indicates
that the curriculum focuses on breadth than depth. Furthermore, the curriculum tends to emphasize on
theoretical than practical exercises. This is mainly observed in the science and social studies subjects.
Generally, except in the time allocation there is similarity between the grade levels on the problems
studied although some variation is seen within the subjects'. ,
At the end, based on the findings and conclusions drawn it is recommended to make some adjustment on
the period allotment, to take measures to enhance more effective use of the existing school time, to
restate the objectives stated in the syllabuses so as to accommodate the three domain and the different
levels of objectives adequately, to highlight teaching methods that enable students to be engaged in an
intelligent process of continual inquiry and discovery, and to add more practical exercises especially in the
science subjects
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Keywords
Cycle Primary School Curriculum