Early Childhood Development (ECD)
Overview
The Early Childhood Development (ECD) course is designed for a post ‘O’ level student teacher pursuing a three year pre-service course for the Diploma in Education (Primary) with specialisation in Early Childhood Development. The programme runs over three years and is organised into semesters and modules. Student teachers spend their first year (two semesters) in residence at the college, the second year on Work Integrated Learning (WIL) in schools, and the final year (two semesters) back on campus. Each semester is made up of modules, and students complete their modules by the end of that semester. The course provides fundamentals in Educational Psychology and Inclusive Education, Philosophy of Education and Curriculum Issues and Sociology of Education and Educational Administration.
It also capacitates the student to facilitate learning Mathematics/Science, Expressive Arts, Social Sciences and Language Arts at ECD level. The department also offers the following subjects: National Strategic Studies, Health and Life Skills and Information Communication Technology. The syllabus is intended to equip the student teacher with Early Childhood Development theoretical and practical knowledge, skills, attitudes and values to enable him/her to become a competent teacher for learners aged 0-8 years in all contexts of development.
Nature of the Programme
Theory of Education
Theory of Education is the theory that informs practice. This department provides fundamentals which guide the student teacher to establish the link between theory and practice of education. The department comprises three sections namely; Psychology of Education and Inclusive Education, Philosophy of Education and Curriculum Issues, and Sociology of Education and Educational Administration.
Professional Studies Syllabus A (PSA)
PSA is designed to guide the student teacher to general knowledge of school administration and management as well as classroom management and teaching skills.
Professional Studies Syllabus B (PSB)
The syllabi are intended to equip the student with obligatory knowledge, skills, attitudes and values that enable him/her to become a competent teacher in the subjects taught in the primary school.
Professional Studies Syllabus C (PSC)
The syllabus enables the student to carry out a scientific self-reflective enquiry into issues faced during practicum.
Professional Studies Syllabus D (PSD) (NASS, HLS AND ICT)
The subjects are intended to inculcate in the students a deep sense of patriotism, a desire to partake in national development programmes and to preserve the country’s sovereignty. The student is then acquainted with health and life skills which are deemed necessary in the management of school system. The student also equipped with the ICT skills
Main Study
The student can make a choice of a subject of interest from the following ones: ChiShona, English, Mathematics, Social Studies, Environmental Science, Art and Design, Music, Physical Education, Religious and Moral Education and Home Economics. The major emphasis is to develop in the student a deeper and wider understanding in the chosen subject.
Work Integrated Learning (WIL)
Student teachers spend the second year of the programme on Work Integrated Learning in schools, where they practise teaching and caring for children of the age range under the guidance of school mentors and college lecturers. The students have a feel of record keeping, class and classroom management, scheming and planning and designing and administering assessment tools.
Programme structure
How the ECD programme is organised
Year 1 · On campus
Two semesters of residential study. Students complete their modules by the end of each semester.
Year 2 · Work Integrated Learning
A full year teaching in schools, guided by school mentors and college lecturers.
Year 3 · Back on campus
Two final semesters of modules that build on the classroom experience.
Ready to apply for the ECD programme?
Applications are open for our February and August intakes.
How to ApplyDownload Application FormHead Of Department
Early Childhood Development
Mr. D. Gondo