The National Curriculum Framework (NCF) and its Goals

The National Curriculum Framework (NCF) provides the students as well as the society a set of plan of what students have to learn and are expected to achieve at the end of their secondary schooling.

The main aims of the framework are to:

• fulfill the needs of the students
• fulfill the needs of the country

As a student, a teacher or a parent, we are all concern with the success and the development in education sector. As our population growth persists there will always be constant changes in the curriculum imposed on the students as well as teachers.

What is the National Curriculum Framework (NCF)?

The NCF is best described as elements which are vital in every student’s learning period and principles which the Ministry of Education imposes on teachers. The NCF also drafts the rules and regulations in the way of assessing the students at school and also at the National Level that is the SC and HSC level.

A Curriculum Framework is also referred to a sort of plan (set up by the Ministry of Education), again imposed on teachers to be taught in order to achieve a good learning outcome. And at the end of the learning time, the student must be able to prove an evaluation of his/her knowledge acquired during the stay at school.

Goals of the NCF

A goal is an intention in the long term. The NCF consists of eight goals. All the goals are meant to have the same outcomes; that is, to make the students achieve their best.

Goals (MOE & HR: 2006, p4, paragraph 1.3)

1) To promote an all-round development of the individual – physical, intellectual, social and emotional – leading to a balanced, active, healthy and productive lifestyle.

Secondary students are physically and cognitively developing at each level. To support this, our syllabus varies according to the level of development of the student. For instance, at the lower secondary, students are taught more or less the basics in the subject.

Visual arts consist of many hand-on activities. For example, at form 3 level, students are taught how to bend wire to make forms. They enrich their knowledge with the new tools and materials given to them.

They are given the liberty of expressing themselves. This results to different outcomes. We see that everyone is different from their friends. They are of different social and emotional status.

Taking the form 3 level, we can say that students are very much appreciated when they are given the opportunity to tell what they feel. They are able to communicate ideas visually. We see the capacities of our students. Their inner talents are being exploited and they show more productivity.

2) To foster understanding and appreciation of the biological, physical and technological world to enable the learner to arrive at informed decisions about the environment and the changing needs of individuals and societies.

Visual arts is a very demanding subject, when we refer to the materials and tools that are used, students have the tendency to buy expensive materials and believe that they will do the best artworks. However, we can also use recycled objects to create beautiful sculptures or even old newspapers to make good drawings.

At any time, teacher should consider the social and financial position of students. It develops the sense of saving in the student and it protects the environment.

On the other hand, we have new technology devices which are available nowadays to help people and make tasks easy for them to understand better. Why not make use of them? For example, research on the internet from the computer room at school.

This enables the students to come across and work with both the primary and secondary sources. Therefore, students are exposed to the development of their skills and competencies in a variety of ways. At form 3 level, the student is able to manage a computer easily.

3) To develop in the learner knowledge and skills to empower him to participate meaningfully in an information-driven economy.

At form 3 level, students are very much interested in hand on activities. However, research works are also important in the development of the student. The student will be keen to learn more and more when he is given small tasks to do before starting an activity. This will provide better understanding.

For instance, history of arts and famous artist’s techniques inspires a lot of new coming painters. This will enrich his knowledge of arts.

It is to be noted that when a student is well prepared, he is automatically willing to participate and share his knowledge in class. Moreover, each and every topic of visual arts is started with a research work on previous paintings and techniques used.

The student is exposed to a different and a vast platform of art forms from a cultural and historical perspective. Through research and with the help of internet, students are able to see all the beauties of Pablo Picasso, Vincent Van Goth etc which creates inspiration in them.

4) To develop creative thinking skills and learning skills required for the future.

Secondary students are known to be the best productive at this stage of life. They have to get the maximum information to cope with the upcoming problems. Analysis of art works helps the student to think creatively. When he comes across the work of other artists or his classmates. A sense of comparison and criticism is being developed to learn about the weakness and strength of oneself.

This is an on-going learning that takes places in the life of an individual that will help him throughout his life. The basic learning is taken place at school and continues during the life experiences.

It is said that when the sense of observation is being develop, an individual will always take into account what he has learn at school in solving future problems. The sense of thinking from a child to an adult will differ at each stage of life but it starts at the early age.

Ex. Solving a problem

• Knowledge with understanding
• Interpretation and response about the situation
• Analysis and finding solutions for the problem

5) To promote equity and social justice by providing opportunities for every learner according to his/her needs, interests and potentials.

Equality of opportunity in education is very important. Our schools are open to the republic of Mauritius that is for everyone. There is no discrimination between rich and poor. No difference in culture or religions, equality for all ethnic groups.

Student centered curriculum influences the student in choosing his own subject of discussion. This make them feel comfortable about the subject and they show interest in it.

Under the progressivism ideology, students focus on their personality development. They are exposed to problem solving, which help them in exploiting their capacity.

Teacher’s duty is to promote

• Good manners
• Good behaviors
• Respect in students.

Students will develop respect to each other when they will be engaged in group works. In visual arts, anything can be express through painting or drawing or sculpting. When students are exposed to themes such as culture, religion, they show respect towards each other’s religion.

6) To foster national unity by promoting in the individual understanding of and respect for our multicultural heritage.

Due to a change in our society, extended families have been replaced by nuclear ones. Students are taught how to behave as good citizens in our multi-plural society. Parents do not get time, so these concerns are included as topics in the NCF.

The objectives of learning is to influence the

1. Needs of the society and national goals
2. The cultural aspirations of the society

Students also develop respect for each other’s values, attitudes and beliefs. With this, a bond is created between students with different socioeconomic class.

At the lower secondary level, students are more likely to have peer groups. In class, they are merged together and through group works and research they are meant to mingle with others. For example, in class, there is no difference between the Muslims and Christians; they all wear the same uniform, share the same class.

7) To promote in the learner an appreciation of his/her place in an interdependent global context.

Students should valorize their country in every way. Special debates are organized by MCA so that students participate and enrich their knowledge. Thus, they come across various facts and realities of the country.

To promote appreciation for our country, subjects like Values and Citizenship education has been introduced. Emphasis is put on our independent country.

We often refer to the past and our ancestors to keep memories alive, in this way, students develop respect for the elders and protect our national heritage at the same time.

Many competitions are organized with themes related to our nations or its history. With the help of the teacher, the students are involved in such activities and increase their knowledge of their country.

This promotes the development of the student in the mean of communication and listening skills at the same time.

8) To promote a culture of lifelong learning for greater access to an ever-changing job market.

Education given to our students will determine the nature of the future society. Long ago, our society depended mostly on agricultural sector, but nowadays industrialization and modern technologies have paved their way.

The government offers a free course of IC3 to form 4 students in order to provide equality between students. The basic needs are provided to all students. Therefore, even if the students are not being able to complete his studies, he has the main qualifications for a job.

Thus, he is secured to a certain limit.

At form 3 level, each and every student has a notion of ICT, science, visual arts etc. The opportunity is given to them to choose their career according to their needs, interests and potentials. A career guidance day is organized by the Ministry of Education to help the students.