Aims of lower and middle basic education outlined by the Ministry of Education How the aims relate to teachers” views on aims of special education 1. To ensure that pupils acquire essential literacy, numeracy and communication skills. ~ these skills are ceniral according to teachers, who however note that goals in these skills might have to be set lower 2. To enable pupils to develop practical skills in one or more relevant areas. > very important according to teachers 3. To nurture a ability, appropriate to the > an ability of thinking was not pupil’s stage of development, to think —_ | mentioned and also not really reflectively, logically, scientifically and | nurtured for in the observed critically. classroom situations 4. To foster healthy living, physical co- | > healthy living is emphasised as ordination and growth. part of independence skills, however physical co-ordination and growth are not mentioned 5. To promote positive social behaviour and skills for coping with negative ssure. > these aims are mentioned as part oj socialisation and interacting with others 6. To encourage the formation of socially desirable attitudes. > this aim is partly included in the aims of developing personal awareness 7. To shape the development of a personally held set of civic, moral and > some teachers mention the aim of responsible citizenship, however litile | spiritual values. emphasis on moral or spiritual values 8. To further the acquisition of > not mentioned but could be knowledge and understanding of included in the aim of citizenship Zambia’s democratic and cultural institutions, 9. to facilitate the development of each pupil’s imaginative, affective and creative qualities. > little emphasis on this aim