Strategic Plan - Program Two: Curriculum Development, Teacher Education and Science and Technology Education

Article Index

Program Two: Curriculum Development, Teacher Education and Science and Technology Education

This program has three Sub-Programs: Curriculum Development, Teacher Education and Science and Technology Education.

Sub-Program 2.1: Curriculum Development

Overall Goal
To provide quality modern textbooks and learning materials according to the new curriculum, based on Islamic principles and national values, in light of modern educational standards and the present and future needs of the society.

Objectives

  • Revise and develop the curricula, textbooks and learning aid materials of general and Islamic schools on a regular basis.
  • Develop and implement a system to assess the learning achievements of primary and secondary students throughout the country by 1393 (2014).
  • Beginning in 1389 (2010), ensure that all Afghan students in Islamic and general schools have access to a complete set of textbooks every year.
  • Ensure that all teachers have access to teacher guides by 1390 (2011).


The new curriculum frameworks for Primary and Secondary Education and for Islamic Education have been prepared. New Primary textbooks have been developed, printed and distributed to schools. The development of new Secondary Education textbooks is in process. To meet the current needs of secondary schools the old textbooks were printed with minor revisions and corrections and were distributed to the schools. The compilation of new textbooks and teacher guides for Islamic Education is also in progress.

The Ministry will continue to improve the quality of education through regular revision and updating of curricula and textbooks. To improve the quality of curricula developed for all programs of the Ministry, an autonomous National Institute for Curriculum Development will be established in 1390 (2011). This Institute will be responsible for the broad curricular policies of General and Islamic Education and will also coordinate curriculum development for Teacher Education, Technical and Vocational Education and Literacy Education.

In addition under the new Tashkil the Curriculum Development Department has two new sections that will focus on curriculum and learning materials for inclusive and special education and for preschool education. In 1389 (2010) the Department will begin work on the development of a question bank for the new National Examination System, which will be pilot tested for grade 9 students in 1390. On a national level the system will be in place for all grade 9 students by 1393 (2014) and in later years for students in grades 3 and 6 as well.  

Sub-Program 2.2: Teacher Education

Overall Goal
To develop the basic capacities of general and Islamic education male and female teachers in order to improve the quality of teaching and the learning achievements of students.

Objectives

  • By the end of 1393 (2014), increase access of existing teachers and grade 12 graduates from remote areas to pre-service, in-service and accelerated learning programs.
    • Upgrade to grade 14 level, the skills and knowledge of 60,000 existing teachers.
    • Attract and train 50,000 grade 12 graduates (45% of whom will be women) from the districts in need of professional teachers.
  • Provide incentives and dormitory facilities to attract students and teachers in to district and provincial TTCs with a priority given to female student.
  • By 1393 (2014), at least 80% of the teachers will have passed the national competency test.
  • Put in place a continuous professional promotion system (including a teacher career ladder) for all teachers and administration staff. The system will include short term in-service courses to meet changing needs.
  • Provide modern and quality textbooks and learning materials for students and teacher trainers in order to continuously improve the quality of teaching and improve students’ learning achievements.
  • Establish a system to improve the capacity of teacher trainers and administrative staff of TTCs and the Teacher Education Department in order to improve capabilities of teacher trainers, improve teaching and thereby increase students’ learning achievements.


The National Teacher Education Academy was established in 1386 (2007) to train teacher educators. The Academy does not, however, have a well-developed curriculum and is currently dependent on foreign educators.

The Ministry has also established 38 Teacher Training Colleges including dormitories for male and female teacher students and 47 TTC satellites in provincial districts and Kabul city. In order to increase access to teacher education services, improve the capacity and promote the educational levels of existing teachers, the Ministry plans to establish 4 new TTCs in provinces and to establish at least one Teacher Resource Center in each district. In order to provide more qualified teacher educators, particularly in districts and remote areas, the Department also plans to employ more than 2,000 permanent teacher educators by 1393 (2014). In 1387 (2008),the total number of student teachers enrolled in TTCs increased to more than 33,000 (39% of whom are women) and 8,497 students (33% women) graduated from TTCs. To improve the quality of teaching and teachers’ familiarity with teaching methods and the content of the curriculum, the educational materials for INSET 1 and 2 have been developed and the materials for INSET 3 and 4 are in progress. By 1393 (2014) all General and Islamic teachers will have completed INSET 1, 2, and 3 and at least 50% will have completed INSET 4.  
In order to strengthen planning, management and supervision of teacher education activities in the capital and provinces over the coming five years, an additional 600 permanent and contract based staff will be employed.

Sub-Program 2.3: Science and Technology Education

Overall Goal
To develop basic capabilities of teachers and schools to establish, maintain and use science and technology labs and materials in order to improve the quality of teaching of science and technology.

Objectives

  • Provide labs and science kits and other learning materials to general and Islamic schools.
  • Train science/mathematics and ICT teachers on how to use laboratories and other locally available teaching aids in teaching science and mathematics and in conducting experiments.


In order to improve the quality of teaching of science and technology throughout the country, the Ministry plans to establish a National Center for Science and Technology Education (NCSTE), with mini satellites in every province. The Center and its satellites will develop and produce science experiment guides and support teachers and schools in setting up science and math labs as well as train teachers on how to use lab equipment and materials as part of science/math and ICT teaching. The Center will also establish and implement a systematic mechanism for supervision, monitoring and evaluation of science/math and technology teaching and learning and will conduct research on recent developments in science/math and ICT subjects and teaching methods in order to improve teaching and learning in these areas. The Ministry will develop the capacity of the staff of the NCSTE and its provincial satellites, school laboratory technicians and science/math and ICT teachers through implementation of a series of high quality training programs.