According to Munroe, “Curriculum embodies all the experiences which the school employs to achieve the aims of education.” In simple terms, curriculum development refers to the process of planning, designing, implementing, and evaluating the educational experiences that guide student learning.

It not only shows how a curriculum evolves but also highlights the people, procedures, and strategies involved in shaping it. Typically, curriculum development is studied in a systematic, step-by-step manner, drawing on both behavioural and managerial perspectives and grounded in the scientific principles of education.

Models of Curriculum Development

Saylor et al. – Four-Step Model

This model provides a concise framework involving:

1. Defining Goals and Objectives
2. Designing the Curriculum (specifications)
3. Implementing the Curriculum (instruction)
4. Conducting Curriculum Evaluation

Unruch and Unruch – Five-Step Model

Their approach expands the process into five stages:

1. Identifying Goals and Objectives
2. Conducting a Needs Assessment
3. Selecting Content
4. Implementing the curriculum
5. Evaluating outcomes

Francis Hunkins – Seven-Step Model

Hunkins developed a more detailed plan with seven stages:

1. Curriculum Conceptualization and Legitimization
2. Curriculum Diagnosis
3. Content Selection
4. Experience Selection
5. Implementation
6. Evaluation
7. Curriculum Maintenance

Conclusion

In essence, curriculum development is the systematic organization of what will be taught in schools at a specific time and level. The outcome of this process is an official curriculum document, prepared as a guide for teachers and made mandatory by educational authorities at provincial or state levels.