Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics Education with ICT

The Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics Education with ICT at ZCAS University is a dynamic double-major programme that equips graduates with expertise in both mathematics education and information and communication technology (ICT). This unique combination enhances teaching proficiency while providing digital competencies, making graduates highly adaptable to modern classrooms and tech-driven learning environments. The strong mathematical foundation ensures critical thinking and problem-solving skills, while the ICT component prepares educators to integrate technology effectively in teaching. Graduates are highly employable, with opportunities in teaching, curriculum development, e-learning, data analysis, and educational technology roles. With a rising demand for STEM educators and ICT specialists, this degree offers a competitive edge in both education and technology sectors. Enroll today and shape the future of learning!

1.1 Rationale

Despite many graduate teachers having no jobs, there are certain subjects still experiencing a shortage of qualified teachers. This is in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics which have been abbreviated as STEM.  Teacher recruitment in the public sector has been tilted towards STEM subjects. ICT component has been given prominence in this curriculum to give our graduates a competitive edge in the Zambian education employment market.

Mathematical degree with ICT in education is a critical level in the education system. It is a level where children cultivate life-long skills. 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.

Therefore, students are expected to influence positive changes within the classroom and the communities. As demanded by the Sustainable Development Goal 4.2, whose target is that by 2030, every government should ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care and preprimary education so that they are ready for primary education; 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. The Plan will focus on expanding access and improving quality of early childhood, primary education.

The programme, therefore, is designed to equip students with instructional skill sets in Mathematical with ICT subject to the benefit of the learners. This qualification also incorporates new content and embraces new approaches and methodologies in teaching and learning mathematics. A key concern of the qualification is the importance of literacy in general, ICT education and numeracy to personal fulfillment. The curriculum also responds to changing needs, particularly in the areas of science and technology, social, personal and health education, and takes account of the Primary Reading Programme (PRP) to enhance literacy.

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 Science with Education (ICT and Mathematics) as it adequately responds to government priority areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

1.3 Objectives of the programme

This learning programme will enable students to:

1. Develop knowledge of mathematical results and ability to communicate mathematical ideas and concepts with clarity and coherence.
2. Have ability of generalization, abstraction, logical reasoning to be familiar with proof techniques and know how to apply the laws of logic in mathematical proofs.
3. Develop competence in using computational of mathematical tools.
4. Have ability to formulate and solve problems, including mathematical modelling of real situations.

2. Curriculum

2.1 Programme Learning Outcomes 

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

1. Use knowledge of mathematical results and ability to communicate mathematical ideas and concepts with clarity and coherence.
2. Apply of generalization, abstraction, logical reasoning to be familiar with proof techniques and know how to apply the laws of logic in mathematical proofs.
3. Use computational of mathematical tools.
4. Formulate and solve problems, including mathematical modelling of real situations.

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%.

C3 Regulations 

 C3.1 Admission Requirements

To qualify for admission to this programme an applicant must have any of the following:

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

C3.2 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.

C3.3 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.

C3.4 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.

C3.5 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

YEAR 1 – COURSES

YEAR 2 COURSES

YEAR 3 COURSES

YEAR 4 COURSES