5 compulsory subjects for O-Level

ORDINARY Level learners will now take a maximum of eight subjects — five of which are compulsory and three of their own choice while a ceiling of four subjects has been set for Advanced Level under the Heritage-Based Education Curriculum whose operationalisation begins when schools open for the second term in a fortnight.

This follows the approval by Cabinet of the Heritage-Based Education 2024 to 2030 curriculum framework, which is expected to transform the education system to produce citizens with relevant skills aligned to national development.

The Heritage-Based Education 2024 to 2030 curriculum, which will not affect this year’s examination classes, is replacing the Continuous Assessment Learning Activities (CALA).

In an interview, Director of Communications and Advocacy in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Mr Taungana Ndoro, said the ministry is finalising the operational modalities of the Heritage-Based Curriculum.

“These are the initial modalities on how schools are supposed to run. For example, we will be having five compulsory subjects for and a total of eight learning areas per learner. For there is requirement for a minimum of three learning areas and a maximum of four per learner. We should also remember that the curriculum is not affecting the current examination classes,” he said.

Circular 4 of 2024, released by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education early this week reads:“The implementation of the primary and secondary curriculum will be as follows: All the 2024 examination classes, that is, Grade Seven, Form Four and Form Six, will continue with the old curriculum and its assessment modalities.

“The 2024 examination classes (Grade Seven, Form Four and Form Six), will continue with CALAs to complete the assessment cycle and submit to ZIMSEC. Non-examination classes will commence School-Based Projects in May 2024.

Each learner at whatever level will do one project per learning area per year.

“For the 2024 Grade Six, Form Three and Form Five learners, school-based projects will be considered as part of the coursework mark to in 2025.

The primary school level will continue to use the syllabi until December 31, 2024 after