Curriculum / Syllabus Development - Advantages and Limitations

A curriculum assists training organisations to determine what the students need to know, it sets the standard of training. The curriculum defines what students should know and be able to do by the end of training. The curriculum / syllabus supports trainers and teachers alike in providing high-quality learning experiences for all students. The curriculum / syllabus is expected to be up-to-date and provide an insight into how the professions being trained for are in-line with the current practices and future trends. The syllabus provides an instrument for effective learning and teaching strategies that could be additionally supported by research and practice. The syllabus initiates discussions concerning curriculum integration within and across different subjects. The curriculum defines the standard to be set for evaluating student / trainee performance. The curriculum provides “outsiders” (private sector, government agencies) within an insight into the contents and training approach.

Curricula and syllabus do not necessarily have a legal character and they are not binding, they are indicative. The curricula does not contain a detailed lesson plan, this is usually included only in the subject syllabus. The curricula does not cover everything a student needs to know. Once they are developed and approved they are usually difficult to modify and revise due to the effort required to do so. Slow changes in the curricula often means that the curricula is not always up-to-date and in line with current trends and practices.