Religious Education: Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education Teaching Syllabus
Religious Education: Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education Teaching Syllabus
Religious Education: Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education Teaching Syllabus
Religious Education
January 2006
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FOREWORD
The Curriculum Development Division would like to express its gratitude to the Religious
Task Force members for the contribution they made towards the design and development of
this syllabus. The division is particularly grateful to the following:
Special thanks are extended to Dr. Kealotswe, Dr Gaiye, Dr. Nkomazane from the
Department of Theology and Religious studies and Mr Awino from the Department of
Languages and Social Sciences of University of Botswana who supported the development of
this syllabus.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Content
Introduction ……………………………………………………..……………… 1
Rationale ……………………………………………………..………………… 1
Aims of Senior Secondary Programme ………………………………………… 2
Aims of Senior Secondary Religious Education ……………………………….. 2
Assessment Objectives ……………………………………………………..…... 3
Recommended Teaching Methods ……………………………………………... 3
Assessment Procedures ………………………………………………………… 3
Module One: Introduction to Religion …………………………………………. 4
Module Two: Religion in Botswana …………………………………………… 5
Module Three: Challenges of Religion in modern world ……………………... 7
Module Four: Religion and Human Relationships ……………………………. 9
Module Five: Religions, Ethics and Global Issues ……………………………. 11
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A. Introduction
The Religious Education Syllabus at Senior Secondary builds upon the Ten-Year
Basic Education Programme. The syllabus has been developed to cater for learners
from different religious background; hence it adopts a multi faith approach. The
content will be drawn from the following religions; Christianity, Islam, African
Traditional Religion, Bahai, Sikhism, Buddhism and Hinduism. The syllabus takes
cognisance of the religious pluralism of the society of Botswana. All learners are
expected to do Christianity and then they can choose any other two religion.
Religious Education is offered within the Optional area of the framework of the
Senior Secondary programme as an Enrichment subject.
Learners selecting Religious Education and have exceeded the minimum requirement
of subjects, will not be compelled to sit for an examination unless they choose to do
so. However, if learners select Religious Education to meet the minimum requirement
for the number of subjects, they will be required to sit for the examination.
The estimated time allocated for Religious Education at Senior Secondary School
level is five (5) periods of 40 minutes per week.
B. Rationale
1
C. Aims of Senior Secondary Programme
2
E. Assessment Objectives
G. Assessment Procedures
3
MODULE 1: INTRODUCTION TO RELIGION
Topics General Objectives Specific Objectives
Students should: Students should be able to:
The nature of Religion Acquire knowledge about the origin - Investigate the ideas people have
and nature of religion in society about religion.
4
MODULE 2: RELIGIONS IN BOTSWANA
Topics General Objectives Specific Objectives
Students should: Students should be able to:
The Nature of African Understand the main beliefs in - Discuss different ways of
Traditional Religion African Traditional Religion identifying African Traditional
Religion
5
The Coming of - Discuss taboos associated with
Christianity sacred places, objects and plants.
and other religions in Understand the establishment of
Botswana Christianity and other religions in - discuss how totemism helps in the
Botswana protection of animals
6
MODULE 3: CHALLENGES OF RELIGIONS IN MODERN WORLD
Topics General Objectives Specific Objective in Africa
Students should: Students should be able to:
Adaptation of new Examine the adaptation of new - Discuss how Africans adapted to
religions in Africa religions in Africa the new religions.
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tolerance.
- Describe the advantages of
interactions between people of
different religions.
8
MODULE 4 RELIGION AND HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS
Topics General Objectives Specific Objectives
Students should: Students should be able to:
Religion and Marriage Know the significance of marriage as - Explain the significance of
a religious institution marriage in different religions.
Religion and HIV and Explore the views of different - State views of different religions
AIDS religions on HIV and AIDS regarding HIV and AIDS.
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- State religious practices which can
facilitate the spread of HIV and
AIDS.
10
MODULE 5: RELIGION, ETHICS AND GLOBAL ISSUES
Topics General Objectives Specific Objectives
Students should: Students should be able to:
Religion and Prejudice Explore the dangers that are - Explain the term prejudice.
associated with prejudice.
- Discuss situations where prejudice
is practiced by different religions.
Religions and Evaluate the religious views about - Discuss teachings and beliefs of
environment the environment different religious about the
environment.
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