An Assessment into the impact of incorporating indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) in the Zimbabwean curriculum in the teaching and learning of o'level biology in selected schools in Sanyati district of Mashonaland province

Author
Gaviyau, Ennita Vimbayi
Title
An Assessment into the impact of incorporating indigenous knowledge systems (IKS)
in the Zimbabwean curriculum in the teaching and learning of o'level biology in
selected schools in Sanyati district of Mashonaland province
Abstract
This qualitative study explored the impact of integrating Indigenous Knowledge
Systems (IKS) into Zimbabwe's Education Heritage-Based Curriculum at O-Level Biology. The study was conducted at a selected at Jameson High school in Sanyati school of Mashonaland West Province Zimbabwe, where 30 Biology teachers and 100 learners participated in the research. Data was generated through document analysis and personal interviews, and was analyzed according to emerging themes. The findings revealed that the integration of IKS into the curriculum has the potential to enhance learners' understanding and appreciation of Biology concepts, as well as promote cultural relevance and contextualization of learning. However, the study also identified challenges and limitations to the effective integration of IKS, including lack of resources and teacher training. The study recommends that teachers and school administrators should prioritize the inclusion of IKS in the curriculum, and that teacher training and resource development should be provided to support this initiative. Furthermore, the study suggests that the integration of IKS can contribute to the development of a more inclusive and culturally responsive education system in Zimbabwe. The findings of this study have implications for education policy and practice, and highlight the importance of considering the cultural and indigenous knowledge contexts of learners in the development of curriculum and teaching practices.
Date
February 2025
Publisher
BUSE
Keywords
Indigenous Knowledge Systems
Curriculum Integration
Zimbabwean Curriculum
Supervisor
Dr Muzamba
Item sets
Faculty of Science Education
Media
Gaviyau, E.V..pdf

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