Core curriculum

Definition and Meaning

According to N.L Bossing

‘’ The core curriculum, designates those learning experiences that are fundamental for all
learners because they drive from

1. Our common, individual drives and needs and

2. Our civic and social needs

‘’The core curriculum is a set of school and college courses in subjects considered essential
to a suitable education, as in providing necessary skills or common cultural knowledge.

So,

 ‘Core’ refers to the ‘heart’ of experiences every learner must go through. or

 Fundamental knowledge that all students are required to learn in school.
 It is designed to help students understand essential, discipline-based content through
the use of representative topics, inductive teaching, and analytical learning
activities.

In this type of curriculum, there exists a set of common learnings (knowledge, skills and

values) that should be provided to all learners in order to function effectively in a

society. The core concept, however, does vary considerably in interpretation.

Core curriculum usually consists of the following compulsory subjects.

(a) Islamiyat (e) English

(b) Mathematics (f) Pakistan studies
(c) Urdu (g) Physical education
(d) Social studies

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The core curriculum along with compulsory subject also includes optional Subjects like.

(a) Fine arts

(b) Home economics
(c) Language
(d) Music etc.

Characteristics

 The core idea is based upon the fundamental psychological principle that learning
involves change in behavior brought about through experience.
 The core involves and provides for a wide range of cooperative curriculum planning
by teachers.
 It makes individual and group guidance an integral part of teaching.
 The core program provides means for social competence.

Advantages

 The core curriculum

 It gives emphasis on the personal and social needs and interests of the students.
 Encourages the use of problem-solving techniques to attack the problems.
 Some of the subjects are correlated.
 There is the scope of greater flexibility in organization procedure and content
material.
 Helps for the education of the whole child and develops many desirable qualities of
the child.

Disadvantages/limitations
 Selection of content may difficult
 Often it does not provide essential material
 Since core curriculum is a radical departure from the conventional curriculum, people
criticize this curriculum.

Issues in core curriculum

1. What should be included in the core?
2. How large should be the core?
3. What should be excluded from the core?
4. Is a core required of all learners?