Concept of Curriculum
From an educational perspective, the curriculum represents the entire range of experiences a student encounters, both inside the classroom and beyond, including formal lessons and informal learning opportunities. From the viewpoint of guidance, the curriculum refers specifically to the deliberately planned learning experiences that schools provide to support student development. It is important to remember that students gain knowledge and skills from all life experiences, not just from academic classes; for example, participation in extracurricular activities offers unique learning opportunities that differ from classroom instruction.
Meeting Students’ Needs
A school’s curriculum should be designed to address the diverse needs of its students. In essence, it establishes the framework for school activities. Since communities offer a vast array of services that could benefit students, it is not feasible for schools to provide everything. Therefore, schools must prioritize and focus on those areas for which they assume primary responsibility.
A well-rounded curriculum should give students opportunities to:
- Discover their role in life and develop a personal philosophy or sense of purpose.
- Build meaningful relationships with peers and develop social skills.
- Gain independence from family while learning to make responsible decisions.
- Adapt to physical development and changes, supporting growth and well-being.
