Zambia Grade 7 Social Studies Syllabus

Introduction

Social Studies integrates aspects of Civic Education, Geography, and History. It aims to develop learners' understanding and appreciation of moral, social, and cultural values, as well as their ability to interpret political, economic, environmental, and civic issues.

General Outcomes

The syllabus aims to develop knowledge, skills, and positive values related to:

1. Political, social, economic, cultural, environmental, religious, and civic issues. 2. Entrepreneurial skills within the context of socio-economic changes and technological advancements.

Grade 7 Topics

7.1 Governance

• Democratic Governance: Understanding the concept of democracy, its characteristics (rule of law, freedom, fair elections), and how it protects and promotes human rights. Addressing discrimination against women and girls in areas like decision-making, job opportunities, access to resources, and education. Exploring forms of child abuse (defilement, rape, child labor, child neglect, human trafficking) and types of child labor (domestic servants, farm work, street vending).
• Organs of Government: Identifying the Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary, and explaining their functions (making laws, carrying out laws, enforcing laws).
• Government Ministries: Identifying key ministries such as Education, Health, Defence, and Home Affairs.
• Constitution: Understanding the importance of the Constitution as the supreme law of the land and its role in safeguarding citizens' rights.

7.2 The World

• Continents: Identifying the continents of the world (Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia, North America, South America, Antarctica).
• Physical Features: Locating major physical features on a world map (rivers, lakes, mountains, seas, islands, oceans, deserts, valleys).

7.3 World Challenges

• Population Growth: Identifying causes (poor family planning, early marriages, poverty, polygamy) and effects (high mortality rate, illiteracy, unemployment, crime, diseases) of rapid world population growth, and suggesting possible solutions (family planning, education).
• Corruption: Understanding different forms of corruption, including petty corruption, grand corruption, and political corruption.
• Food Shortages: Identifying causes of food shortages in some parts of the world (droughts, floods, wars, pests and diseases, laziness, ignorance) and explaining the importance of food security (autonomy, good health, high productivity).
• HIV and AIDS: Explaining the consequences of HIV and AIDS on food security (low productivity).
• Pollution: Explaining causes of pollution (mining, solid waste disposal, chemical processing, forest fires, combustion), outlining effects on the environment (acid rain, land degradation, contamination of water sources, diseases), and stating possible solutions (waste management, protection of water sources, environmental education).
• Other World Challenges: Identifying other world challenges (war, global warming, poverty) and suggesting possible solutions (conflict resolution, education, increased productivity).

7.4 Religion

• The Family: Understanding the importance of belonging to a family (security, protection, love, care) and describing the relationship between parents and children in a Zambian family (acceptance, respect, love, tolerance, obedience).

7.5 Farming

• World Farming Regions: Locating major farming regions on a world map (Prairies, Pampas, Downs, Steppes, Veldt).

7.6 Transport and Communication

• Benefits of Improved Regional Transport and Communication Services: Understanding the benefits of improved regional communication services and transport networks for Zambia, including increased trade, easy flow of information, easy movement of goods and services, and employment opportunities.
• Road Safety: Identifying parts of a bicycle and demonstrating safe cycling practices, such as cycling on the correct side of the road.