Comparison of General Education Curriculum Development and Implementation across Selected Countries: Searching Good Experiences for Ethiopia

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the curriculum framework of selected countries with Ethiopian general education curriculum and to forward suggestions for the improvement of curricular activities in Ethiopia. Data was collected from document (curriculum framework and education policy guidelines) review, personal experience and interview with educators. Findings of the study were discussed by comparing similarities and differences with the Ethiopian educational system. The components of discussion have included educational structure of selected countries, curriculum competency, principles of curriculum framework development, areas of learning and subjects, pedagogy or teaching methodology and strategies, assessment and evaluation mechanisms, teachers’ professional development and medium of instruction. The study revealed that there are good practices in each country's curriculum policy and some of these were commonalities with Ethiopia and shown again Ethiopian educational policy and curriculum framework should strengthen reforms like competency based curriculum models. Education sector development program and curriculum framework of Ethiopia was critically investigated in the case of learner-centered methods of teaching and continuous assessment. These are ways to apply competency based curriculum in primary and secondary schools. One of the good suggestions investigated from this study appropriate for Ethiopian educational curriculum development was medium of instruction and language policy. To improve the learning outcome of students in Ethiopia primary and secondary schools critically reviewing medium of instruction, the influence of home language on medium of instruction and other variables related with bilingualism and multilingualism should be revisited.

Key Words: Curriculum; Curriculum Framework; Competency Based Curriculum; General Education; Areas of Learning; and Medium of Instruction

DOI: 10.7176/HRL/57-03

Publication date: April 30^th 2026