The core competencies for all subjects describe a body of skills that teachers at all levels should seek to develop in their learners. They are ways teachers and learners engage with the subject matter as they learn the subject. The competencies presented here describe a connected body of core skills that are acquired throughout the processes of teaching and learning. These include:
CRITICAL THINKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING
This skill develops learners’ cognitive and reasoning abilities to enable them to analyze and solve problems. Critical thinking and problem-solving skills enable learners to draw on their own experiences to analyze situations and choose the most appropriate out of a number of possible solutions. It requires that learners embrace the problem at hand, persevere and take responsibility for their own learning.
CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION
Creativity and innovation promote entrepreneurial in learner’s skills through their ability to think of new ways of solving problems and developing technologies for addressing the problem at hand. It requires ingenuity of ideas, arts, technology, and enterprise. Learners having this skill are also able to think independently and creatively.
COMMUNICATION AND COLLABORATION
This competence promotes learners the skills to make use of languages, symbols, and texts to exchange information about themselves and their life experiences. Learners actively participate in sharing their ideas. They engage in dialogue with others by listening to and learning from them. They also respect and value the views of others.
CULTURAL IDENTITY AND GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP
This competency involves developing learners to put country and service foremost through an understanding of what it means to be active citizens. This is done by inculcating in learners a strong sense of social and economic awareness. Learners make use of the knowledge, skills, competencies and attitudes acquired to contribute effectively towards the socioeconomic development of the country and on the global stage. Learners build skills to critically identify and analyze cultural and global trends that enable them to contribute to the global community.
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND LEADERSHIP
This competency involves improving self-awareness and building self-esteem. It also entails identifying and developing talents, fulfilling dreams and aspirations. Learners are able to learn from the mistakes and failures of the past. They acquire skills to develop other people to meet their needs. It involves recognizing the importance of values such as honesty and empathy and seeking the well-being of others. Personal development and leadership enable learners to distinguish between right and wrong. The skill helps them to foster perseverance, resilience, and self-confidence. PL helps them acquire the skill of leadership, self-regulation, and responsibility necessary for lifelong learning.
DIGITAL LITERACY
Digital Literacy involves developing learners to discover, acquire, and communicate through ICT to support their learning. It also makes them use digital media responsibly.
