An Outline for High School Curriculum of Third World Countries

[pir_Rokhan]

by Pir Rokhan 12-03-12

I wish the third world countries work on the following model for high school education [grade 6 to 10] to make their students ready for the future.

Languages

• Mandatory First /Mother Language [for example Pashto , Dari, Balochi, Sindhi etc]
• Optional Second Language English / Arabic

Health and Hygiene

• Mandatory Principles of Health and Hygiene including Balanced Diet, Healthy Food etc,
• Optional Diseases, Cure and Pharma education

Emergency Management

• Mandatory First Aid in various accidents / shocks/ attacks/trauma/ mishaps
• Optional dispensing/nursing /pharma/cure education

Technical Skills

• Mandatory skill in any one of the following: Cellular phones/ Computers/ Sewing/ knitting/ woodwork/blacksmith/ Electrician/ Mechanic / Performing Arts/ Fine Arts/Music/ Media technologies etc etc…
• Optional Internship or documentation of skill acquired

Reasoning/Argumentation

• Mandatory Logic educational
• Optional vocal/oratory/writing education

Basic Sciences

• Mandatory Science /Mathematics/ Social Sciences education
• Optional Physics/ Biology/Chemistry education

Environment and Pollution

• Mandatory Environment education
• Optional Education of Issues related to Environment and Pollution

Industrial Education

• Mandatory Industrial Supply Chain Education
• Optional Study of one specific local industry

Institutional knowledge

• Mandatory knowledge of basis state institutions
• Optional knowledge of global institutions

Legal Education

• Mandatory knowledge of human rights
• Optional knowledge of local/country/religious law

Culture Education

• Mandatory Local Cultural Education
• Optional Study of any other cultural community

Religious Education

• Mandatory Local Religious Education
• Optional Study of any other religious group

Personality Development

• Mandatory knowledge of Personality Development
• Optional Education of Personality Traits, Disorders, Qualities like Leadership, Management etc

Sports and Physical Training

• Mandatory exercise using Yoga / Judo / Karate or other technique
• Optional participation in any indoor or outdoor game

Exceptional Studies

• Mandatory one to one student counseling for exceptional students
• Optional Creative classes based on specific talents and faculties for Exceptional Students

[pir_Rokhan]

There was some editing issue in the forum when I first posted this outline. Now it is in better form and easy to read. Hope it will benefit the masses.

[tor_khan]

Pir Rokhan - you didn't include Arts. I'm really in favour of craft/art and music/performance arts, perhaps as electives. I've seen kids flourish when presented with the opportunity to just express themselves.

Edit: I see it - tucked under Technical Skills .

[BarakzaiAbdali]

Pir Rokhan - you didn't include Arts. I'm really in favour of craft/art and music/performance arts, perhaps as electives. I've seen kids flourish when presented with the opportunity to just express themselves.

Edit: I see it - tucked under Technical Skills .

Zeek Apridi versus Led Zeppelin?

[asad71]

1. The latest thinking is to make a second language mandatory. And a third language is optional.
2. Agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, forestry, poultry, basic veterinary medicine, basic practical work in fixing electric/electronic appliances, and subjects relevant to a locality ought to be taught.
3. History, economics and politics at a very basic level should be taught.
4. Elementary military education with practical experience should be mandatory.
5. Self defense, unarmed combat and similar items are useful for both girls and boys. They discipline the mind and keeps the body fit.
6. The Holy Quo'ran must be taught compulsorily. Stress should be on understanding The Message, not on mugging up verses.

[pir_Rokhan]

Tor Khan and Asad [ I dint get Abdali's point unfortunately]Thx for the feedback. @Asad All the points which you have mentioned [2,3,4,5,6] are taken care except first point in which I wanted to emphasize the importance and benefits of mother language.

[BarakzaiAbdali]

Tor Khan and Asad [ I dint get Abdali's point unfortunately]Thx for the feedback. @Asad All the points which you have mentioned [2,3,4,5,6] are taken care except first point in which I wanted to emphasize the importance and benefits of mother language.

Was a joke with Tor Khan in regard to music education. Led Zeppelin is a legendary British Rock band and Zeek Apridi appears to be a Justin Timberlake of Pakistan/Afghanistan. My joke was for him to musically educate me on who wins in such a competition.

[Amir al Ghaznavi]

Zeek Apridi versus Led Zeppelin?

lol cmon man...lol

[Talal]

I like the way the current curriculum work except a few changes .. An average kid coming from any third world country has much better understanding of sciences, what they lack is intuitive thinking, for that you need to change the way material is taught not the material itself..As for rest of these technical courses they should just be offered as electives at grade 10-grade 12 level so that it's compulsory for every student to graduate with some basic info on trades .. I don't really care much for rest of the stuff like arts and what not

[SiiNii]

Good list to start off with. I really like that you included first aid I don't remember learning much of that when I was in grade skool.

Secondary language should be mandatory, I suggest English, less emphasis on perfect grammar or spelling, you could even cut out spoken informal English. Instead people should learn a lot of vocab and reading comprehension since its the language of science and technology (I know there are a few scientists, doctors and engineers on this forum so correct me if I'm wrong).

Biology should be mandatory especially human and animal anatomy + physiology, horticulture, genetics (animal husbandry), and other subjects the vast majority of humanity will relate to and be able to use.

I wonder if it would make a difference to have a class on the benefits of transparent gov't and free press, how find and publicize gov't misconduct and how to hold gov't officials accountable if they mess around. I think corruption is the biggest thing holding back any developing country.

VCDs and disc players are cheap as hell, I don't think that this plan will require a lot of teachers or textbooks aside from the most remote areas. Can mp3 players with preloaded audiobooks be distributed in large quantities...? Imagine farmers, river fishermen and goat herders laboring while listening to podcasts about the history of their own country. I'm thankful that I don't have to spend my days knee deep in a rice paddy in 100% humidity but it wouldn't be so bad with a ipod shuffle + Carl Sagan's lectures...

And one more thing - a class on proper disposal of all types of garbage, start with 'trash goes the in the trash can'.

[pir_Rokhan]

@ Talal. Material has to be changed too. Teaching lies and fake histories wont liberate students. Detachment from truth and one's own culture and history would isolate the children psychologically from reality and they wont be original or creative in their approach. Intuitive approach is good however I recommend creative thinking. Creativity is the essence of personal and collective progress.@ SiinniiMy point is to focus on high school/secondary education [grade 6th to 10th]. Some of the subjects you have mentioned might overburden the kids. Once a sense of creativity and innovation is inculcated into the minds, and teachers consciously reinforce and encourage that approach, insatiation for more and more information and knowledge will come automatically.