Civic education in Zambia should be taught up to highest level

Posted Feb 02, 2010

At a workshop recently held to review a handbook for teachers of civic education, Zambia Open University lecturer Dr. Yizenge Chondoka urged Government to ensure civic education is taught from the lowest to the highest level of education in Zambia because the subject is important to prepare children for the future and build a nation of an enlightened citizenry.

Dr. Chondoka who was engaged by the Human Rights Commission as lead consultant for the review workshop said in his introductory remarks that civic education should be introduced to all schools and be taught without difficulties up to university level.

“Seen as the subject that would prepare children for the future as good citizens, it should be continued and be made easier for teachers to teach. It will help society having children learn this subject,” He said.

He said feasibility studies carried out in Zambia highly recommended the introduction of civic education to all schools in the country.

In the last four years, civic education which includes a component on human rights has been gradually introduced to 15 government schools in Central, Lusaka and Northern Provinces.

The Ministry of Education has made the subject compulsory at basic and high schools in Zambia.

According to Dr. Chondoka, human rights is taught only at high schools from Grade 10 to 12.

However, many teachers have complained of experiencing major difficulties in teaching the human rights component of civic education as the teaching material in the handbook has been found to be rather complicated.

It is for this reason that the Human Rights Commission in collaboration with the Curriculum Development Centre held the review workshop to simplify the material on human rights in the handbook for teachers of civic education.

Chief Information, Education and Training Mr. Samuel Kasankha said simplification of the human rights component was necessary to help teachers teach human rights with ease.