Curriculum Research Group

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                  Curriculum Development and Research Group
                        Five-Year Plan (April 2009 – March 2014)
                                IED-BRAC University


The phase II activities of IED-BRACU are highlighted on the quality and equity issues of
Bangladesh’s education system into six major functions: Academic, Research, Training,
Curriculum, Policy Advocacy and Early Childhood Development Resource Center
(ECDRC).

It is the aim of IED to act as a contributor to or promoter of certain ideals, behaviors,
practices, attitudes, values, and capacities, to improve the quality of education for all
children, to meet Bangladesh’s aspiration of being a poverty-free middle-income country by
the time it has reached its 50th year of independence, 2021.

The purpose of the curriculum is to create an academic and social environment that
challenges students to achieve their potential, become life-long learners and contribute to a
changing global society. Hence, the curriculum needs to be designed to enhance the
development of the whole child-their academic, social and emotional development.

In line with IED’s vision, mission, objectives as well as next five years plan, IED formed the
Curriculum Research team in 2008 to achieve some of its planned goals. The focus of the
team is to design and promote the application of new approaches, models and ideas relevant
to the context of Bangladesh, aiming to address the existing gaps and providing innovative
solutions to the challenges faced because of resources and constraints.


Objective
Collaborate with the national apex body, the National Curriculum and Textbook Board
(NCTB) to upgrade and improve the curriculum and teaching learning materials both at
primary and secondary level.


Areas of work:
     1.   Development
     2.   Research
     3.   Advocacy
     4.   Resource Center


1.        Development

Short Courses will be designed, developed and provided on Language (both Bangla and
English), Mathematics and Curriculum. The work will be done in collaboration with NCTB
and other relevant stakeholders. Experts from NCTB may be the resource persons in the



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     process dissemination. International Consultants/Experts will be appointed to develop
     technical capacity of education professionals, researchers, trainers, and faculty in:

          1. Language Education Course Development
          2. Cross-Institutional Capacity Building
          3. Innovative Education Models and Strategies

     Curriculum Development and Research Group plans to offer short courses on:
                Principles of Language teaching (both Bangla and English)
                Principles of Math teaching
                Basic principles of Curriculum


     2.        Research

              Small scale research
              Document analysis
              Needs assessment/listening sessions (formal and informal)

     The Curriculum Development and Research Group will carry out some need based research
     work and analyze available documents to complement NCTB’s next five years plan in
     collaboration with IED research team, training and NCTB on teaching learning materials,
     assessment, process etc.

     Research Areas:
     Research may be conducted in the RNGP schools for maximum 3 months period of time.
                Competencies, Content and materials
                Teaching learning Process and Training
                Assessment, Monitoring, Supervision


     3.        Advocacy
4.
5.   On the basis of research work the following topics may be taken into consideration:
           Activity based learning
           Language
           Inclusive education
           Math, science/technology
           Assessment
           Teacher development

          Mode of advocacy may be through:
          - Networking (coalition and action)
          - Bill boards and banners



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        -    Electronic media
        -    Consultancy from developing countries, like, Thailand, Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia
             to share their experience
        -    National/International Conference and talk show once a year
        -    Needs assessment through informal listening sessions


4.          Resource Centre
        There are plans to build a (initially) pre-primary and primary level Resource Centre in
Dhaka by 2011. The idea behind this initiative is to facilitate the NCTB in the development
of primary level educational materials by enabling the authors and educationists of such
content access to a wide range of useful materials. For example educational materials on
pre-primary and primary level will be provided from different countries as well as the
following:

           Curriculum documents
           Teaching-learning materials
           Life skill materials
           Audio-visual materials
           Scope for developing materials
           Books and other documents
           Teaching aids (low cost, no cost etc.)
           Virtual library using at least 10-15 computers with internet
           Training materials
           Research archive (Reports, textbooks)
           Policy Documents
           Different assessment tools
           Display corner
           Web page for resource center

Equipments Required for Resource Center
     Computer
     Color printer
     Scanner
     Multimedia
     TV
     DVD
     Camera
     Tape recorder
     Stop watch
     Furniture




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