Lesson 4

Stakeholders
in Curriculum

Tiktikerist
 Introduction
Who are involved in curriculum and curriculum development?
These are the persons who we call the stakeholders. Stakeholders
are individuals or institutions that are interested in the curriculum.
They get involved in many different ways. You must be one of
them. Together with the teachers, school managers, parents and
even the whole community have interest in the curriculum. We will
all meet them in this lesson.
Let's talk
1. Learners are at the core of the curriculum.
To what extent are the students involved in curriculum
development? The old view that students are mere
recipients of the curriculum, is now changing.
Learners have more dynamic participation from the
planning, designing, implementing and evaluating.
However, the degree of their involvement is dependent
on their maturity. The older they are in high school or
college, the more they participate. From another angle,
whether learners are in the elementary or college level,
they can make or break curriculum implementation by
their active or non-involvement. After all, learners
together with the teachers, put action to the
curriculum.

At the end of the curriculum development process, the

fundamental question asked is: Have the students
learned?
 When some college students were asked
about their role in curriculum development,
here are their answers:
Student 1: I never realize that as a student, I have a participation in curriculum
development. It is true that as students, our learning is the basis of the success or failure of
the curriculum. For example, if all of us pass the board examination, it means that the
teacher education curriculum is a success.

Student 2: In high school our teachers would always look into what we are learning. The
whole year round, we have varied curricular and co-curricular activities inside the class. I
think, we as students, should be considered in writing the curriculum.

Student 3: When we were in the elementary level, our lessons were

very simple. But now that we are in college, the content we learn has become complicated. I
learned that actually, our curriculum is spiral, and that the difficulty of the subject matter is
also adjusted to our maturity level.
Why do curricularists place of lot of premium on the students? It is
because, the learners make the curriculum alive. A written
curriculum that does not consider the students, will have a little
chance to succeed.
2. Teachers are
curricularists
Teachers are stakeholders who plan, design, teach, implement and evaluate the curriculum. No doubt,
the most important person in curriculum implementation is the teacher. Teachers' influence upon
learners cannot be measured. Better teachers foster better learning. But teachers need to continue
with their professional development to contribute to the success of curriculum implementation.
Teachers should have full knowledge of the program philosophy, content and components of
curriculum and ways of teaching.

A teacher designs, enriches and modifies the curriculum to suit the learners' characteristics. As
curriculum developers, teachers are part of textbook committees, teacher selection, school evaluation
committee or textbooks and module writers themselves.

When a curriculum has already been written, the teacher's role is to implement like a technician,
however, teachers are reflective persons. They put their hearts into what they do. They are very
mindful that in the center of everything they do, is the learner.
Some of the roles that the teachers do in curriculum
implementation are:
1. guiding, facilitating and directing the activities of the
learners;
2. choosing the activities and the methods to be utilized;
3. choosing the materials that are necessary for the activity;

4. evaluating the whole implementation process, and

5. making a decision whether to continue, modify or
terminate the curriculum.
All these roles are very crucial to
achieve success in the
implementation. Unsuccessful
implementation may even lead to
educational failure.
Let us read how the teachers are viewed as curriculum implementer.
Student: I believe my teachers know very well our curriculum. She knows what to teach and
how to teach it well. I do not miss my class everyday because she guides us in all our lesson
activities. Without our teacher; I am not sure if we can learn more than what we are
achieving now.

Teacher: As a classroom teacher, it is my responsibility to make my students learn. I have to

give action to the written curriculum. I have to see to it that my students are provided
experiences to learn from. I keep in my mind, how I can sustain the interest of my students
by using teaching strategies that are ejective. At the end of the day, I am very happy to know
that my students have achieved the intended learning outcomes. I do this because as a
teacher, I am a curriculum implementer.

Truly, the teacher has a great stake in the curriculum. Curriculum planning, designing and
implementing are in the hands of a good teacher. In the educational setting, it is clear that
the teacher has a very significant role in curriculum development.
 3. School leaders are curriculum managers.
Principals and school heads, too, have important roles in curriculum
implementation process in schools. They should understand fully the
need for change and the implementation process. They should be ready to
assist the teachers and the students in the implementation.
Communication line should be open to all concerned should the school
leaders lead in curriculum teamwork.

Convincing the parents on the merits of the new curriculum is the job of
the school heads. They should be committed to change and should
employ strategies to meet the needs of the teachers, and learners like
buildings, books, library, and other needed resources.
Let us listen to the two school
heads on how, they understand
their stakes on the curriculum.
Principal: I am a principal of a big central elementary school. It is part of my function to lead
my school in any curriculum innovation. First of all, I make sure that my teachers understand
the restructuring or alteration of our school curriculum that is forthcoming. I also call on the
parents to participate in the change that will happen by keeping them informed. I have to
make sure that materials needed are available for the teachers and students to use. I always
keep in mind my role as an instructional leader.

Head Teacher: Leading a small school in a far flung barrio has

its pros and cons. First, there are few teachers to supervise and fewer students to support. As a
proactive school head, I always see to it that we keep pace with the changes in the school
curriculum. While preparing for the implementation of K to 12, I realize that change process
is inevitable. My teachers have to be retrained, and their attitudes should be changed. I am
responsible in seeing to it that the curriculum is implemented as it should be and at the end of
the year; our school can show evidence that learning has taken place as designed by the K to
12 recommended curriculum.
 4. Parents

Parents are significant school partners. Besides the students, teachers and
school administrators, play an important role in curriculum
implementation. When children bring home a homework from school,
some parents are unable to help. Schools need to listen to parents'
concerns about school curriculum like textbooks, school activities,
grading systems, and other development endeavor.
Here are two examples of how parents think of their stake in
curriculum development.

Parent: I am proud that my child goes to this school. The teachers are hardworking and the
school head is very supportive. On my part, I always cooperate with the school's concern that
will make my child learn. I volunteer for work where I am needed. We, parents, support the
Brigada Eskwela and other school activities. If they call on us parents, we always answer
their request. We also make suggestions on how, the parents at home can assist in the learning
of the children.

Guardian: I am a guardian. I stand as a second parent of my nieces and nephew. I know that
as a parent, I should not leave entirely to the school the responsibility of educating the child
Although, I do not really know much of new curriculum, I welcome the changes that the
school is making. I am always ready to give support to school concerns of my wards.
 How do parents help shape the
curriculum in schools? Here are
some observations.
The school composed of parents who are positively involved in school activities have better
achievement than schools with uninvolved parents. Disciplinary problems are minimal, and
students are highly motivated. When parents take interest in their child's learning, they
become closer to the school.

The home is the extended school environment. In lifelong learning, the achieved learning in
schools are transferred at home. Thus, the home becomes the laboratory of learning.Parents
see to it that what children learn in school are practiced at home. They follow up lessons, they
make available materials for learning and they give permission for the participation of their
children .
5. Community as the Curriculum Resources and a Learning Environment
"It takes the whole village to educate the child" goes the statement of former First Lady
Hillary Clinton.
What do you think of this statement?

Yes, it is true that the school is in the community, hence

the community is the extended school ground, a learning
environment. All the barangay leaders, the elders, others citizens and residents of the
community have a stake in the curriculum. It is the bigger school community that becomes
the venue of learning. The rich natural and human resources of the community can assist in
educating the children. The community is the reflection of the school's influence and the
school is a reflection of the community support.
6. Other Stakeholders in Curriculum Implementation and Development

Some stakeholders may not have direct influence on the school curriculum. These are
agencies and organizations that are involved in the planning, design, implementation and
evaluation of the school curriculum. To name a few, the list follows.

● Gawad Kalinga (GK) - to build communities means to include education. The full support
of GK in early childhood education is very significant. In each village, a school for
preschool children and out-of-school youth have been established.

● Synergia - an organization/foundation that supports basic education to elevate education

through Reading, Science, Mathematics and English.
THANK YOU