What Is Curriculum?

Who's in charge of a curriculum? Did you think the district or the principal or the teacher?
Surprisingly, the answer is more like: life! Broadly defined, curriculum refers to everything that
students learn, are taught, or even are exposed to, both in school and in the world at large. When we
talk about curriculum development, though, we are usually talking about curriculum that teachers
and administrators consciously plan for.
Defining the scope, or breadth and parameters, of curriculum is important for multiple reasons:

 To avoid being overwhelmed by or unfocused in curriculum planning

 To help you assess students' readiness for and receptiveness to a particular curriculum
 To help you collaborate with families and other teachers to make sure students are having a
coherent, meaningful experience with learning

Meaning of Curriculum:

The term curriculum has been derived from a Latin word ‘Currere’ which means a ‘race course’ or a
runway on which one runs to reach a goal. Accordingly, a curriculum is the instructional and the
educative programme by following which the pupils achieve their goals, ideals and aspirations of life.
It is curriculum through which the general aims of a school education receive concrete expression.
Traditional concept-The traditional curriculum was subject- centered while the modern curriculum is
child and life-centered.

THE MEANING AND IMPORTANCE OF

CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT
Before I discuss the definition of curriculum development, let me describe to you first the
importance of curriculum. A curriculum is considered the “heart” of any learning
institution which means that schools or universities cannot exist without a curriculum.
With its importance in formal education, the curriculum has become a dynamic process
due to the changes that occur in our society. Therefore, in its broadest sense,
curriculum refers to the “total learning experiences of individuals not only in school but
society as well” (Bilbao et al., 2008).
Definition of Curriculum Development
Curriculum development is defined as planned, a purposeful, progressive, and systematic
process to create positive improvements in the educational system. Every time there
are changes or developments happening around the world, the school curricula are
affected. There is a need to update them to address the society’s needs.
To illustrate this contention, let’s trace back history.

During the ancient times, people taught their children knowledge and skills to survive by
catching fish or hunting animals for food. They had no formal education during that time,
but their children learned and acquired the knowledge and skills for survival. So, during
that time, they already had a curriculum that other educators call as, the saber-
tooth curriculum. This type of curriculum refers to a kind of curriculum that existed during
the ancient times in which the purpose of teaching was for survival.
However, when the effects of discoveries and inventions became inevitable, ancient
people’s way of life had changed for the better. As a result, education became formal,
and curriculum development evolved as systematic, planned, purposeful and
progressive, even today.

Importance of Curriculum Development

Curriculum development has a broad scope because it is not only about the school, the
learners, and the teachers. It is also about the development of society in general.

In today’s knowledge economy, curriculum development plays a vital role in improving

the economy of a country. It also provides answers or solutions to the world’s pressing
conditions and problems, such as environment, politics, socio-economics, and other
issues of poverty, climate change, and sustainable development.

There must be a chain of developmental process to develop a society. First, the school
curriculum, particularly in higher education, must be developed to preserve the country’s
national identity and to ensure its economy’s growth and stability. Thus, the president of
a country must have a clear vision for his people and the country as well.

For instance, in the Philippines, if President Aquino would like the country to become
the Asia-Pacific’s tourism hub, then the school curriculum must be developed along that
line. Curricular programs for higher education can be crafted in such a way that it will
boost the tourism industry. For example, different models may arise such as edu-
tourism, eco-tourism, cultural tourism, medo-tourism, biz-tourism, techno-tourism, agri-
tourism, archi-tourism, among others.

If universities have curricular programs that are innovative and in demand in the local or
global markets, many students even from foreign countries will enroll. A higher number
of enrollees would mean income on the part of the universities. As a result, if the income
is big, it can be used for teachers’ promotion, scholarship, and remuneration. It can also
be used in funding research and development endeavors, and in putting up school
facilities, libraries, and laboratories.

I believe that the country’s economy can improve the people’s way of life through
curriculum development. And to develop it, curriculum experts or specialists should
work hand in hand with lawmakers such as senators and congressmen, the local
government officials, governors, mayors, among others. Likewise, business
communities and industries, and other economically oriented players in society may be
engaged in setting and implementing rules and policies for educational reforms.

Hence, curriculum development matters a lot in setting the direction of change in an

organization, not only at the micro but also at macro levels. As long as the goals and
objectives of curriculum development are clear in the planner’s mind, cutting-edge
achievements in various concerns can be realized.

For additional information on curriculum development, please read Edecolepmentalism: a

Personal Philosophy of HIgher Education, and Translating the Edecolepmentalism Philosophy
Into a University’s Vision, Goals, and Program Objectives.