Lessons learned on the integration of health, population, environment, democratization and privatization into basic education curriculum in Africa : final report

This report presents case studies of curriculum reform and development efforts in Botswana, Senegal, and The Gambia, from which it attempts to develop some general insights and suggestions on the pace, nature, and direction of curriculum development and reform in African societies. The first section briefly compares traditional, rigid educational theory to more modern, holistic theories on the goals of education, the learning process, and curriculum design; section two contains the three case studies; the third and final section presents synthesis observations and recommendations. While the report finds that the integration of health, population, and environmental issues into basic education is at an embryonic stage in the three countries studied, its focus is on what African countries can do to improve their basic education programs. It is suggested that more emphasis be put on culturally appropriate curricula and teaching methods; gender issues; and in-service teacher training. Appendices include: charts and matrices summarizing findings; a synthesis of conclusions of the literature review undertaken for the report; a general bibliography, and individual bibliographies for democracy/privatization, environmental, HIV/AIDS, health and population, and curriculum issues; a list of contacts in Botswana, Senegal, and The Gambia; and a list of upcoming ECONET accessible conferences on education.