Curriculum as a Political Activity in Tanzania: Evidences from Literature

Abstract

This paper seeks to answer the question why curriculum is regarded as a political activity. In the introductory part the key terms are defined followed by an overview of the curriculum process.  The paper further describes how various individuals and groups with different interests and obligations are involved in the curriculum making process and their influences thus making curriculum a political activity. These individuals and/or groups are categorised as the ones who make direct decisions and the others who influence the decision makers. It is asserted that the Tanzania government through the Ministry of education, science and technology (MoEST) determines the official curriculum. Teachers are also curriculum decision makers in the sense that they are the mere implementers of the official curriculum in the classrooms, however they are less or not at all involved in making decisions on the curriculum mandatory aims, goals, objectives, contents and teaching and learning strategies. This paper therefore gives a critical analysis of the roles played by the curriculum decision makers and influential groups to see how curriculum making process is largely a political activity. Lastly a concluding note and recommendations are given.

Keywords: Curriculum, Political, Activity

DOI: 10.7176/JCSD/72-03

Publication date: January 31^st 2024