Zambia Grade 8 Religious Education Syllabus

This syllabus, published by the Zambian Curriculum Development Centre (CDC) in 2013, aims to develop learners' understanding and appreciation of spiritual and moral values, drawing from Christianity, Hinduism, Indigenous Zambian beliefs, and Islam.

Grade 8 Topics:

• Morality and Values: This topic explores the meaning and purpose of morality and spiritual education, sources of moral codes (family, community, religious texts), and moral dilemmas. Learners are expected to apply good morals in society, appreciate diverse beliefs, and reflect on making ethical choices.
• Growing Up: This topic examines different types of growth (physical, intellectual, emotional, spiritual), influences on development, different names and descriptions of God, various kinds of life, growing up in different religions, and the importance of self-concept and self-esteem.
• Learning About Religion: This topic covers the four major religions in Zambia, important dates and events in their history, ways people learn about religion, different religious scriptures, and the reasons for the oral tradition in Indigenous Zambian beliefs.
• The Bible: This topic explores the composition of the Bible (Old and New Testaments), the origin of Jewish scriptures, the purpose of the New Testament, and Bible translations.
• Choices and Talents: This topic focuses on chosen and unchosen circumstances, different levels of choices, steps in decision-making, central teachings on choices in different religions, the concept of talents, and the parable of the talents.
• Competition, Cooperation, and Trust: This topic describes competition, cooperation, and trust, their benefits and drawbacks, religious teachings on cooperation, and the principles that create trust.
• Division, Sin, and Forgiveness: This topic examines the causes of division, teachings on division and separation in the early church, examples of division during the time of Jesus, teachings on overcoming division in different religions, the meaning of sin, teachings on forgiveness and reconciliation, and the steps needed for forgiveness.
• Learning and Truth: This topic explores different ways of learning (guided and unguided), the learning process in different religions, different ways a statement can be true, standards of truth, ways to find the truth, and the concept of prejudice.

Grade 9 Topics: (Similar structure to Grade 8, covering the following themes)

• Freedom and Community
• Authority and Leadership
• Ambitions and Hope
• Friendship, Love, and Marriage
• Suffering and Death
• Prayer

Assessment:

The syllabus recommends continuous assessment and a final examination comprising one paper. The time allocated for Religious Education is 2 hours and 40 minutes (four periods per week of 40 minutes each).

General Outcomes:

The syllabus aims to develop knowledge, skills, and positive values related to spiritual and moral issues, fostering a sense of responsibility, tolerance, and the ability to make informed choices. It encourages learners to exhibit healthy human development in different perspectives (physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual).