Syllabus

 What is a Syllabus?  

Generally, a syllabus is defined as “a course of study offered by a learning institution in a specific period of time” (Debin and Olshtain, 1986). Other authorities have considered a syllabus to be a collection of topics on the same subject matter that are required to meet the course objectives. A syllabus will be defined as a course outline comprising a collection of topics on the same subject matter and a series of statements of what is to be learned within a given time frame.

A syllabus is a very important document to a practicing teacher because it is the basis for the content delivered to the learner. Below are some reasons why it is important to have a syllabus: • From the syllabus, the teacher can determine what topics are to be taught at each level.

• The syllabus outlines terminal objectives. It gives the teacher the basis for instruction and evaluation, since these objectives specify the expected achievements at the end of the course. 

• The syllabus lists concepts to be developed; it tells the teacher what pupils should learn. 

• The syllabus outlines the learning experiences and provides notes on the subject to be learned. These help the teacher determine the depth of the content and the expected skills to be developed. The teacher can easily prepare materials needed to deliver lessons. 

• The syllabus provides strategies and means of evaluating the learners’ understanding of the subject. In some instances, the syllabus may suggest the skills to be evaluated and the weighting of each skill (for example, practical skills 40% and knowledge 60%). The syllabus specifies the number of examination papers and their nature. 

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