National Curriculum Framework and National Assessment Framework |27 November 2013

Schools gear up for implementation of education policy documents

The Centre for Curriculum Assessment and Teacher Support (CCATS) has since the beginning of November started a series of sessions in all primary and secondary schools to educate them on the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) and National Assessment Framework (NAF) prior to their implementation in 2014.

The NAF and NCF were both launched in July 2013 and officials of the CCATS are working closely with the schools to ensure there is sufficient dissemination of information and that schools management and staff are well equipped for the next implementation phase.

It is anticipated that following the session teachers and curriculum leaders will have a sound understanding of the two documents which would facilitate their active participation in the curriculum review next year. The process will also further empower all participants to effectively use the frameworks for teaching and learning.

National Curriculum Framework (NCF)
The NCF presents the official policy for curriculum in all state schools. Adherence to it is therefore mandatory. The NCF sets the national direction for learning and provides guidance for schools in the review and design of their curricula.

The goals of the NCF are to provide a coherent framework for the planning and delivery of school curricula and to ensure consistency and balance between the intended, experienced and achieved curricula.
Its main objectives are to:
•    establish the principles on which decisions regarding school curriculum are based;
•    indicate the values that are important to education and are to be encouraged and modelled;
•    establish the essential competencies and skills needed for successful lifelong learning;
•    outline the educational outcomes to be achieved by all students at the different stages of the schooling process and in each of the learning areas of the national curriculum;
•    guide the development of achievement standards at each key stage, for the different learning areas;
•    provide guidance on assessment and reporting of students’ achievements;
•    provide guidelines for curriculum implementation in all state schools;
•    provide guidance on parental and community involvement.

National Assessment Framework (NAF)
The purpose of this framework is to inform teachers and schools of the guidelines for providing quality assessment and reporting practices.
This framework aims to:

•    establish a systematic way of using assessment data to improve instructional and schools’ effectiveness;
•    inculcate a sense of responsibility from a very early stage by providing developmentally appropriate and challenging expectations to all learners;
•    promote diligence, perseverance and honesty among learners;
•    promote a common understanding of assessment;
•    assist schools in the development of their own assessment policies and procedures;
•    promote an assessment vocabulary to be shared by all.

Education sessions held so far in various schools