Bachelor of Arts in Civic Education and ICT

The Bachelor of Arts in Civic Education and ICT at ZCAS University is a double-major programme that uniquely combines civic education—which fosters critical thinking, governance, and active citizenship—with ICT, equipping graduates with digital competencies essential for the modern world. This interdisciplinary approach prepares students to teach, engage in policy-making, and utilize technology for civic engagement and education. The programme is ideal for in-service teachers, aspiring educators, government officers, NGO professionals, and individuals passionate about governance, democracy, and digital literacy. Graduates gain diverse career opportunities in education, public administration, social advocacy, and digital communication, making them highly adaptable to evolving job markets. Enroll today and become a leader in civic education and technology!

1.1 Rationale

The Undergraduate degree in Bachelor of Education in Civic Education and ICT programme is crucial for training educators in effectively supporting teachers. Through this program, teachers acquire specialized knowledge and skills for teaching Civic Education and ICT, and pedagogical approaches, enabling them to create engaging learning experiences. Therefore, students are expected to influence positive changes within the classroom and the communities. As demanded by the Sustainable Development Goal 4.1, whose target is that by 2030, every government should ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality primary and secondary education leading to effective outcomes; also provided in the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP) of 2022-2026, 6.2. with the Development Outcome1: Improved Education and Skills Development, also to support the Zambia Education Curriculum Framework of 2013 whose philosophical rationale for educational provision is to nurture the holistic development of all individuals and to promote the social and economic welfare of society. By investing in high-quality Civic and Information and Communications Technology education, teachers can empower learners to break free from the cycle of poverty, reach their full potential, and contribute positively to sustainable community and global development. The integration of ICTs into the curriculum of learners is of immense benefit to them. In 2002 the Ministry of General Education through the Curriculum Development Centre (CDC) begun to design a syllabus in Computer Studies for grades 1-9 and in 2013 Computer Studies was introduced as a subject at both primary and secondary school levels. ICTs have also been introduced at higher learning institutions for teacher training as a requirement for the successful implementation of the curriculum.

The program is suitable for various individuals, including secondary school leavers who have attained the minimum qualifications for university admission and who wish to start a career in Education; individuals who wish to advance their careers in the education sectors; officials responsible for educational management or administration; Civil Servants in the Government departments and School principals and heads interested in capacity building. Graduates will gain the necessary skills to support teaching and learning in diverse settings.

1.2 Aims of the programme

To permit candidates obtain an academic qualification that adequately equips them with cutting-edge knowledge, competencies and skills to assume job responsibilities in the educational sector. The ICT dimension is a central and unique feature of the Bachelor of Education in Civic Education and ICT as it adequately responds to government priority areas of technology.

1.3 Objectives of the programme

This learning programme will:

1. Give students a comprehensive understanding of ICT to support the holistic development of the teacher.
2. Enable students to acquire specialized knowledge and skills in ICT teaching methodologies and pedagogical approaches for education.
3. Develop Civic Education teaching methodologies and pedagogical approaches for the enrichment of the education sector
4. Foster ICT inclusive and equitable learning environments cater to the diverse needs of young learners, promoting their social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development.
5. Cultivate effective communication and collaboration skills to engage families, communities, and other stakeholders in supporting learning and social well-being.
6. Enhance students’ understanding of democratic principles and civic responsibilities.
7. Develop students’ skills in critically analyzing civic issues and policies.

2. Curriculum

2.1 Programme Learning Outcomes 

By the end of this learning programme, students should be able to:

1. Describe the fundamental theories, concepts, principles, and practices of Civic Education.
2. Analyse, interpret, evaluate and show judgement as applied to Civic Education
3. Integrate in-depth, broad and coherent knowledge of discipline content, educational theory and practice relevant to teaching.
4. Apply the ICT skills in classroom practice required of a graduate teacher.
5. Plan, facilitate, evaluate and critically reflect on learning programs for learners. and
6. Apply practical ICT strategies for creating rapport with students and managing student behaviour.

2.2 Assessment

 The assessment for courses with practical work will be marked as follows:

Continuous assessment                40%   

Test                                     30%

Practical Assignment     10%

Final examination                          60%

Total                                                  100%

The test and final examination shall consist of one examination paper in each of the courses and shall normally be of two hours and three hours duration respectively.

The courses without practical work will have two assessments consisting of one (1) test and one (1) assignment making up 40% and the final examination of 60%.

3 Regulations 

 3.1 Admission Requirements 

To qualify for admission to the Civic education with ICT degree programme an applicant must have any of the following:

1. Five credits at ‘O’ Level including English
2. Any relevant three-year Guidance and Counselling diploma from a recognized HEI
3. At least three ‘A’ level passes or equivalent.

3.2 Examinations

• A student who is unable to sit the scheduled examinations and qualifies on compassionate grounds may be awarded a deferred examination in one or more courses. A deferred examination will be graded normally, i.e. between D and A+.
• A student who has failed a course in a scheduled examination may be awarded a supplementary examination in the failed course if he or she meets the following criteria:
  1. Full-time student – The student has passed three courses at the grade of at least C+ and achieved a D+ in the examination of the said course.
  2. Part-time/ evening student – The student has passed two courses at the grade of at least C+ and achieved a D+ in the examination of the said course.
  3. A supplementary examination is marked on a pass/fail basis.

For the avoidance of doubt, all matters relating to the administration of both academic and administrative elements of the programme shall be administered by ZCAS University using its institutional framework subject to the guidance of Senate regulations.

3.3 Progression

• The programme of study shall be taken in the sequence approved by the ZCAS University Senate with lower-level foundation courses being undertaken and completed before a student proceeds to higher level and specialized courses of study.
• A candidate who passes all the courses taken during the academic year of study shall be allowed to proceed to the next year of study.
• Every semester a full-time student shall register for and take not less than four and not more than five courses.
• A part-time student shall register for and take not more than three courses in any semester of the academic year.
• Provided that a student may, in exceptional circumstances, be permitted to take one additional course whether carried over from the previous academic year or additional in any one semester.
• A student who fails in one course may be permitted to proceed to higher level courses provided he or she repeats the course at the first available opportunity.
• A student who fails two courses in any academic year will normally proceed to Part-time studies until he or she has cleared the outstanding courses.
• A student who fails in more than two courses in his or her academic year of study will be excluded.
• Every semester an evening programme student shall register for and take three courses.
• An evening programme student who fails up to two courses in any academic year will receive the comment ‘Proceed and repeat’
• An Evening programme student who fails more than two courses in one academic year will be excluded.
• A full-time, part-time or evening student who fails a course twice is subject to exclusion but he or she may be permitted to repeat the course for the third and final time.
• Exclusion is applicable in compliance with the preceding regulations in any year of study including the final year.
• To qualify to sit for an examination the student should have passed the continuous assessment.
• Any student who fails the continuous assessment should be informed two weeks before the commencement of the examinations about their ineligibility to sit for the examination.

3.4 Degree Regulations

The course of study for the award of the degree shall be as follows:

• Completed in a period of not less than four and not more than six academic years in the case of full-time students who have satisfied the requirements of the regulations.
• Completed in a period of not less than five and not more than seven academic years in all other cases (from the date of first registration)
• Completed 32 courses prescribed in the programme.

3.4.5 Degree Classification

• In calculating the grade of the degree, the following points shall be applied to the grades obtained.
• a.  A+ 2.5 points
  b.  A 2.0 points
  c.  B+ 1.5 points
  d.  B 1.0 point
  e.  C+ 0.5 point
  f.  C 0 point
• The grading of the programme is based on all grades obtained in the last two years (i.e. 16 courses). No points are awarded where a course has been repeated.
• The points for classification of the degree shall be as follows:

Distinction                   28 – 40 points

Merit                           20 – 27.5 points

Credit                          12 – 19.5 points

Pass                             0 – 11.5 points

APPENDIX 1: COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

TABLE 1 YEAR 1 COURSES

TABLE 2 YEAR 2 COURSES

 TABLE 3 YEAR 3 COURSES

TABLE 4 YEAR 4 COURSES