Social Science
Lower Secondary
Syllabus



























Papua New Guinea
Department of Education






Issued free to schools by the Department of Education

Published in 2006 by the Department of Education, Papua New Guinea.

© Copyright 2006, Department of Education, Papua New Guinea.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored
in a retrieval system or transmitted by any form or by any means
electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the
prior written permission of the publisher.


ISBN xxxx-xxx-xx-x












Acknowledgements

The Lower Secondary Social Science Syllabus was written, edited and
formatted by the Curriculum Development Division of the Department of
Education. The development of the syllabus was coordinated by the late
Grace Kulnol Tombil.

Teachers, inspectors, tertiary educators, community members,
representatives from non-government organisations and the Social
Science Subject Advisory Committee have developed this syllabus
through meetings, workshops and consultations.

The Department of Education dedicates this syllabus to the memory of
Grace Kulnol Tombil who died in September, 2005, soon after she
completed writing this document. Her contribution to education in Papua
New Guinea will be remembered through this Social Science Syllabus.

This document was developed with the support of the Australian
Government through the Curriculum Reform Implementation Project.
ii



Contents




Secretary’s message .................................................................iv
Introduction ................................................................................ 1
Rationale.................................................................................... 3
Curriculum principles ................................................................. 4
Aims of Social Science ............................................................ 11
Content overview ..................................................................... 12
Units......................................................................................... 15
Grade 9 units ........................................................................... 18
Grade 10 units ......................................................................... 36
Assessment, examinations and certification........................... 47




iii


Secretary’s message
This Social Science Syllabus is to be used by teachers to teach Lower
Secondary students (Grades 9 and 10) throughout Papua New Guinea.
This syllabus builds upon concepts, skills and attitudes learnt in Upper
Primary and links to concepts, skills and attitudes in Upper Secondary.
It provides a sound foundation for further learning.

The Lower Secondary Social Science Syllabus contributes to Integral
Human Development as it is based on the students’ physical
environments, societies and cultures. It links to the National Education
Plan’s vision which is that secondary education enables students to
achieve their individual potential to lead productive lives as members of
the local, national and international community as they will undertake a
broad range of subjects and work related activities that can be used in
everyday life.

The Social Science Syllabus develops in students the knowledge, skills,
attitudes and values necessary to participate actively in a changing
society as informed, confident and responsible citizens. Students will
learn relevant knowledge about Papua New Guinea and its place in the
world. They will become aware of the increasing interdependence
Papua New Guinea has with other countries as a result of globalisation
when they learn to understand the modern structures and relationships
established at local and international levels.

Social Science students develop in themselves the practical experience
and academic skills needed to understand the changing world around
them in terms of places, cultures, use of resources and natural and
social systems in the past, present and future.

Students develop the ability to become better thinkers and decision
makers to develop new and integrated approaches to solve the social
and environmental issues that are affecting people. They need to
develop ways that are sustainable and beneficial for Papua New Guinea
and the world.

I commend and approve this syllabus as the official curriculum for Social
Science to be used in all schools with Grades 9 and 10 students
throughout Papua New Guinea.






DR. JOSEPH PAGELIO
Secretary for Education


iv

Lower Secondary Syllabus
Introduction
All Lower Secondary Syllabuses use an outcomes based approach. The
Social Science Syllabus has been designed using learning outcomes
which identify the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values that all
students achieve or demonstrate by the end of Grade 10. It selects the
essential knowledge and skills from syllabuses teachers have used in
the past, and incorporates this with developments in social science to
ensure that the syllabus provides relevant knowledge and skills for
students. It is linked to the national curriculum learning area Culture and
Community and builds on the knowledge and skills students have learnt
since elementary grades.

Upper Primary
Lower Secondary
Lower Secondary Social
Social Science
Social Science
Science
Strands
Strands
Units
Environment and
Time, continuity and
Places in the Pacific Region
resources
change
Population Change,
Organisation
People, place and
Resources and Migration
Culture
space
Investigating PNG History
Integrating projects Civics and citizenship
Resource Development and
Sustainability
Management
Environment Change, Pollution
and Solutions
PNG and the Global
Community

Assessment is an important component of teaching for learning and is
integrated into the teaching and learning activities of Social Science.
Continuous assessment in Social Science provides feedback to students
and the teacher on students' progress towards achievement of the
learning outcomes. It helps students improve their standards of
achievement by knowing what they need to do well and where they need
to improve. In Social Science, teachers will gather evidence from
students’ work during the course of the term and use those continuous
assessments to improve their teaching and students’ learning.

The Social Science Syllabus has been designed to be relevant by
providing topics that include knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes that
are useful for all students. The syllabus is flexible as extension topics
are provided to allow students to study areas in depth. Units have
academic and practical components, with all units emphasising the
development of the social science skills. School developed units can be
written to suit local community needs and can be taught as part of the
syllabus.

Social Science is the study of relationships between people, and
between people and their environment. It enables students to develop
their knowledge and understanding of their society and of how
interactions occur among the different cultures, societies, and
environments. Students develop and apply skills as they investigate
society, explore issues, make decisions, and work cooperatively with
others. The understandings and skills they develop enable them to
participate in society as informed, confident, and responsible citizens.

1

Social Science


Social Science builds on learning from Upper Primary where the focus is
the local and regional areas of Papua New Guinea, by shifting the
emphasis towards the country of Papua New Guinea, the Pacific region
and beyond, while using the students’ local areas for field trips and
practical activities. Such learning includes the development of
understandings of globalisation, of challenges to the society and
environment such as HIV/AIDS, of the issues of sustainability, of the
great leaders of the country, of our unique cultural heritage and the
multicultural nature of our society.

This syllabus outlines the strands and units for all students in grade 9
and 10. It has four strands: Time, continuity, and change; People, space
and places; Civics and citizenship; and Environment and sustainability.
The strands provide the basis for the development of units. It will create
a foundation for students who continue to upper secondary social
science subjects like geography, history, economics and politics.

The learning of Social Science will be more meaningful and interesting
when students are taken out of the classrooms. This syllabus
emphasises that students be exposed to real life experience and
situations in the field. All units require students to engage in field trips,
excursions and outdoor activities. The teacher and the school, therefore,
should take necessary actions and precautions when arranging for such
outings.

Social Science is to be timetabled for five periods per week in Grades 9
and 10.
2

Lower Secondary Syllabus
Rationale
The study of Social Science is very important for students of Papua New
Guinea as it develops in students the knowledge, skills, attitudes and
values necessary for them to participate actively in a changing society
as informed, confident and responsible citizens.

In the study of this subject students will gain relevant knowledge about
Papua New Guinea and its place in the world. This enables them to
understand the changing world around them in terms of places, spaces,
cultures, use of resources and natural and social systems in the past,
present and future.

Social Science enables students to become aware of the increasing
interdependence Papua New Guinea has with other countries as a result
of globalisation. They will learn to understand the modern types of
social, economic and political structures and relationships established at
local and international level. They will also learn that due to
unsustainable population increase the demand for natural resources is
increasing greatly while the availability of natural resources is
decreasing rapidly every year. Students will also learn that most of the
wealth, goods and services are not distributed equally throughout Papua
New Guinea and the world which causes rapid rural –urban migration
and more social and environmental problems.

Students will develop these understandings by interacting with one
another and asking questions, observing and critically evaluating and
analysing their environment and society, and trying to solve present
problems based on past experiences. They use skills of enquiry such as
investigating, reasoning, participating and communicating to help them
become purposeful, tolerant and involved members of their community.

Social Science contributes towards Integral Human Development by
providing for individual students to develop the ability to make reasoned
and informed decisions as citizens of a multi-cultural and democratic
society. It does this by developing students’ sense of their social world
and their place in it; their respect for their own cultural heritage and that
of others; their respect for the rights of other people; their beliefs in the
values of social fairness, democracy and environmental sustainability;
and their ability to contribute to the quality of life in Papua New Guinea,
now and in the future.

The development of knowledge, skills and attitudes gained in Social
Science will enable students to become better thinkers and decision
makers. This encourages students to develop new and integrated
approaches to consider solutions to social and environmental issues
through appreciating and respecting the natural environment, physical
and human resources. They are then able to take action in an accepted
and responsible manner to contribute towards achieving a better and
sustainable future for themselves, their families and their country.

Learning Social Science will enable students to build confidence and
competency for further studies and paid and unpaid employment.

3

Social Science

Curriculum principles
The national curriculum principles should influence what students learn
and how teachers teach. These principles relate to Our Way of Life,
Integral Human Development and Teaching and Learning (NCS, 2002,
p. 22).
Our way of life
Cultural relevance
Cultural relevance focuses on the richness and diversity of Papua New
Guinean cultures and language. These cultures and languages are
examined within their own unique contexts and within historical,
contemporary and future realities. Our traditional life is based on a
holistic perspective that integrates the past, present and future. Papua
New Guineans are the original inhabitants of Papua New Guinea and
live in sophisticated, organised and self-sufficient societies. Our customs
and traditions constitute a cultural mosaic: rich and diverse, including
different cultural groups. Our customs and traditions are unique. Social
Science enables students to:

• demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of the values,
customs and traditions of Papua New Guinea
• demonstrate recognition of the importance of the relationship
between Papua New Guinea and the world around it.
Maintenance of vernacular language
The Department of Education’s Language Policy in all Schools states
that at the secondary level, lessons will be conducted in English, but
teachers can use opportunities to further develop the students oral and
written vernacular (or lingua franca) skills, for example when a concept
is better explained using the vernacular or lingua franca. Students must
be encouraged to learn and use English, but secondary schools should
not discourage free communication in vernacular languages that the
students speak in and out if the school grounds.
Cultural diversity
Papua New Guinea is fortunate to have so many languages and
cultures. The diversity of our cultures is the source of our knowledge,
skills, attitudes and Melanesian values. As a multicultural society, we
must protect, promote and respect our many cultures and languages.
There are many people from our own ethnic grouping and from other
countries with their own cultures, living and working together in Papua
New Guinea. We must ensure that we promote and share out cultures
and in this way cultural diversity will be maintained and enjoyed whilst
learning experiences will be enriched.

The wealth of cultural diversity in Papua New Guinea is clearly illustrated
in our communities, both rural and urban. Social Science teachers and
students will conscientiously conserve our cultural diversity and as a
4

Lower Secondary Syllabus
result maintain our uniqueness by applying social science skills and
knowledge in their everyday lives.
Ethics, morals and values
Papua New Guinea is striving to create a society in line with democratic,
liberal traditions. The citizens of Papua New Guinea should recognise
appropriate social relationships based on sound human and religious
ethics, morals and values. These are required for interaction with
families, villages, wantoks and other economic groups and people from
other provinces and nations. The process of socialisation requires a
belief in the ethics, morals and values of the Melanesian extended
family, dialogue with and respect for others and a willingness to
conserve and promote those aspects of our traditions, which are
consistent with integral human development. Socialisation also requires
an awareness of the interdependence of individuals, societies and
nations in the modern world. It requires involvement with family, church,
school, community and the world beyond.

This syllabus places emphasis on civics and citizenship with a focus on
ethics, morals and values, social skills and character building to develop
positive social contributions to the community.
Integral human development
The Social Science Syllabus is underpinned by integral human
development which is described in the National Curriculum Statement
on page 21 as:

integral in the sense that all aspects of a person are important
human in the sense that social relationships are basic
development in the sense that every individual has the potential to
grow in knowledge, wisdom, understanding, skills and goodness.

Integral human development is the ultimate goal for every person who
receives an education and is based on an awareness of human potential
and the willingness to develop this potential so that each individual can
solve his or her own problems, contribute to the common good of society
and maintain, promote and improve the built and human environment in
a sustainable manner. Papua New Guinea is a rapidly changing society
and faces many challenges. Studying Social Science assists students to
face these effectively, and encourages individuals to strive to become an
integrated person and to work with others to create a better community.
Nation building and national unity
Papua New Guinea is a young nation. There is still a great deal of nation
building to be done. The Lower Secondary Syllabuses should enable
students to understand how Papua New Guinea societies work and how
they can be a useful part of these societies. Students should learn that
they have a place in Papua New Guinea and that Papua New Guinea
has a place in the world as a whole. They will become more able to help
Papua New Guinea develop a national identity as one nation if they
learn to:

5

Social Science


• work together with tolerance
• respect one another, their traditional ways and resolve problems
peacefully
• respect and act in the spirit of the National Constitution
• recognise their capabilities and develop their own talents
• participate in the development of the national community
• protect and safeguard the national wealth and resources and
consider how they will contribute to national revenues.

Social Science promotes national identity by encouraging pride in our
society through promoting understanding of our rich cultural heritage,
the beauty and richness of our country and its natural resources, and
our importance in the Pacific region.
Citizenship
The Social Science Syllabus provides students with the opportunity to
learn about:

• political activities, legal assemblies and associations
• problems associated with inhumane treatment, forced labour and the
need for the freedom of employment
• the importance of the freedom of conscience, of expression and of
information
• freedom of movement and protection of privacy
• meaningful participation in and access to representation in all levels
of government
• how benefits and services can be equally distributed
• how to take part in nation building
• the need and importance of equal participation by women in all areas
of life
• maximising their participation in every aspect of national
development.

The students will use this knowledge in many different ways as useful,
active and law abiding citizens.
Sustainability
The natural environment of Papua New Guinea is as diverse as its
cultures. It is often a violent natural and physical environment, and
threatened by issues such as rapid population expansion and misuse of
resources such as over logging, abuses associated with mining, over
fishing, dynamiting reefs and dumping toxic wastes. Our diverse cultures
are also threatened by over exploitation and commercialisation of sacred
cultural practices. Some of our cultural traditions are not being handed
down from generation to generation. The Lower Secondary Syllabuses
will guide students to further appreciate, respect and value their natural
environment, cultures, customs and traditions. They will give them the
skills and knowledge to identify problems and issues and to take action
to sustain these aspects of life in Papua New Guinea.

6

Lower Secondary Syllabus
In terms of Social Science we are looking at sustaining our land and
water resources so that they can be used by the many generations to
come.
Catering for diversity
Gender

All Lower Secondary Syllabuses are designed to cater for the
educational needs and interests of both girls and boys. The Department
of Education Gender Equity in Education Policy (2003) recommends that
no student in the education system of Papua New Guinea will be
disadvantaged on the basis of gender. The policy aims to prepare
students for a satisfying life beyond school where:

• equal, non-violent relationships exist between females and males
• rights to personal respect and safety are reflected in everyday life
• positive cultural values and individual differences are acknowledged
and respected.

To implement the policy, teachers have the responsibility to use and
promote gender equity practices in their classrooms and with the wider
community. This means teachers:

• use teaching and learning strategies that meet the needs and rights
of all female and male students
• use gender inclusive language, content, methodology and
assessment
• respect positive cultural values and challenge unfair cultural
practices
• respect the contributions of men and women to society
• promote positive attitudes and behaviours of social responsibility,
empathy and sensitivity.

There is a need for sensitivity to local cultural practices and values, with
respect to traditional roles for males and females. In Social Science,
students are given equal opportunities to participate in all practical
learning and assessment activities regardless of gender.

In gender sensitive classrooms:

• there is a safe, challenging learning environment which is socially
and culturally supportive
• boys and girls have the right to equal power
• students take turns in being the leader and reporter
• students share and participate in activities involving different
students
• students show respect for other students and their contributions
• teachers encourage students to challenge stereo-typed gender roles.

Students with special needs

Many students have special needs. This includes students who are
gifted and those who are disadvantaged. Gifted students should be

7

Social Science

given opportunities to extend their learning. Students with physical
impairments need special support in the classroom. Teachers have a
responsibility to ensure that the learning needs of these students are
met. All students are individuals and all have the right to quality
education in order to reach their full potential.
This syllabus promotes the principles of equity through providing a
diverse range of learning experiences and fair assessment practices.
Teaching and learning
The Social Science Syllabus uses a student-centred approach as a
vehicle to guide and facilitate students’ learning. A student-centred
approach provides students with the opportunity to practice and develop
critical and creative thinking, problem solving, decision-making as well
as a range of practical skills and knowledge.
Student-centred learning
A student centred approach means that teaching and learning
approaches need to be flexible to cater for the individual differences and
learning should be relevant and meaningful to the experiences and
needs of the students. A student-centred approach allows teachers to be
more flexible in determining the most effective ways to help all students
achieve the learning outcomes.

Social Science focuses on the social science skills of investigation,
observation, analysis, reporting and evaluation. Teaching and learning
must reflect this. Students will learn by using these skills, creative
thinking and problem solving and by participating in excursions and field
studies.

In Social Science students are encouraged to think critically about what
they are learning and to take responsibility for their learning. They learn
to teach each other and to learn from each other: to work cooperatively
and to work individually. They know that learning has a serious purpose.
They enjoy a wide range of activities. Students learn how to
communicate well with others, how to work things out for themselves
and on how to get the information they need. They need to learn to think
in ways that make sense, using their experiences, their knowledge, their
intelligence and their imagination.
Inclusive curriculum
All students are individuals and all have the right to quality education in
order to reach their full potential. An inclusive curriculum uses content,
language and teaching methods that take account of all students. All
Lower Secondary Syllabuses value the experiences and knowledge of
all students, regardless of gender, ability, geographic location, religious
and cultural background, or socio-economic status.

Teachers must ensure that the learning and assessment activities are
inclusive of all students when interpreting and implementing syllabus
learning outcomes. The following statements identify important
requirements of an inclusive curriculum.
8

Lower Secondary Syllabus

• All students have fair access to resources such as time spent with
teacher, space in the classroom, books and equipment, outside
space.
• All students have equal opportunity to participate fully in teaching,
learning and assessment activities.
• The curriculum includes and addresses the needs and interests of all
students; girls as well as boys, gifted students, students with
disabilities and students from different cultural and religious
backgrounds.
• The experiences and knowledge of all students are valued by
teachers and are reflected in classroom practice.
• Teaching and learning methods cater for different learning styles by
allowing students opportunities to learn in different ways.
• Teachers use a variety of assessment methods that give students
opportunities to demonstrate achievement of learning outcomes.
• Teachers have a responsibility to ensure that the curriculum they
teach, and the classroom practices they use, give all students the
opportunity to reach their full potential.
Relevance
The Lower Secondary Syllabuses should be relevant to the social,
spiritual and resource development needs of a community. This can be
achieved by integrating teaching and learning situations that reflect the
knowledge, skills, attitudes and spiritual values needed for integral
human development. A relevant Lower Secondary curriculum will
prepare students for productive community living; integrate academic
and practical education; and will provide ways to paid and unpaid
employment.

Most people in Papua New Guinea work in the informal economy.
Students who leave at the end of Grade 10 may need to find work in the
informal economy. These students, however, will not only need to be
skilled to work in the informal economy, but they will also need to be
prepared to work in the formal economy and undertake formal education
if there are opportunities. All students will need applied and academic
skills and knowledge. All students will need to know how to adapt new
technologies and knowledge appropriately to their environment.

The Lower Secondary curriculum will enable teachers to support
students’ learning by encouraging teaching in real-life contexts. This
means relating the skills and knowledge of subjects to real life situations.
People from the community could be involved in learning activities to
help teach skills and traditional knowledge where appropriate.

A key focus of this Social Science Syllabus is to provide all students with
real life and relevant learning experiences. There is a clear emphasis on
the development of practical skills and knowledge that will ensure
students are able to achieve and maintain a sustainable way of life
beyond their school years. Learning in Social Science should provide
students with opportunities to make connections with, and draw from
their cultural, linguistic and everyday knowledge, skills and attitudes and
apply this to what is being learnt in their classrooms. It is essential that

9

Social Science

students are aware of and value community and local knowledge and
realise that learning takes place inside and outside the school context.
Language development across the curriculum
Language development across the curriculum should be encouraged
because all subject areas provide meaningful contexts for real purpose
learning. Social Science has specific language requirements such as
vocabulary and language features which must be explicitly taught in
relevant contexts across the curriculum.
Lifelong learning
Social Science is an important part of a student’s education but learning
continues throughout life. The experiences that students have in Social
Science are critical in encouraging them to continue learning throughout
their lives. Students know many things when they come to school. They
will learn many things outside of school and continue to learn after they
leave school. The curriculum should build on what students already
know. Important learning in Social Science will continue throughout life.
Increasingly, students who leave school will look for opportunities to
continue their education and to return to school or some other
educational or training institutions in order to improve their qualifications.
Skills learnt in Social Science will be very important in future life.
Safety
All teachers have a duty of care, and all students have a duty to act
responsibly and safely at all times. Teachers and students must follow
safety instructions and procedures given in each unit at all times.
Schools must observe all safety requirements as instructed by the
Secretary for Education.
10

Lower Secondary Syllabus
Aims of Social Science
Social Science aims to enable students to:

• participate actively in a changing society as informed, confident and
responsible citizens
• respond to problems and challenges in their lives in creative,
innovative, rational and ethical ways
• understand the basic concepts about the world in which they live
• have a good sense of social awareness and be able to respond to
social issues
• be responsible citizens who are able to gain the necessary skills, in
order to live happily and productively in the communities in which
they choose to live and serve
• apply what they are learning to life and work-related situations for the
benefit of themselves, their family, community and country.


11

Social Science

Content overview
Broad learning outcomes
The Social Science broad learning outcomes identify the knowledge,
skills, attitudes and values all students will achieve or demonstrate at the
end of Grade 10. The broad learning outcomes for Social Science are
listed below.

Students can:

1. communicate ideas and information in a variety of ways

2. explain the relationships between people, space, places and events
through time

3. explain the relationships between natural and built environments in
Papua New Guinea and the world

4. demonstrate an understanding of issues relating to sustainable,
ethical allocation and management of resources

5. apply the Social Science skills of inquiry, observation, classification,
recording and interpreting

6. demonstrate understanding of personal responsibilities in relation to
a sustainable society and environment.
Strands
The strands describe the dimensions of the subject. They are broad,
organising structures that define ways of approaching learning in the
Social Science Syllabus. They incorporate cross-curriculum learning
and skills and are ‘woven’ through the units within Social Science.

The strands for Social Science are time, continuity and change, people,
place and space, civics and citizenship and environment and
sustainability.
Time, continuity and change
This strand deals with understandings about the social world and how it
changes over time. A sound development of understandings of the
nature of change is necessary to make sense of the social world.
Students will learn the ways and patterns of change in events and in
societies through time and experiences that draw on past, present, and
possible future settings. They will examine the ways in which people’s
values, aspirations, and actions have been shaped and continue to be
shaped by social change and social continuity. As they study
relationships between events and people, students will learn to
recognize short-term and long-term causes of events and people’s
actions and to predict the consequences of these for society. By doing
12

Lower Secondary Syllabus
so they learn to recognise that people can influence the future in socially
just and democratically sustainable ways. Students develop skills and
knowledge at a local level as historians and anthropologists.
People, space, and place
This strand emphasises the importance of place and the environment to
people. Students will understand how people influence place and
environment and how they are influenced by them. They will examine
the different ways people and groups view, adapt and use places and
consider how and why people move between places and how places
and environments change. They will learn that environments include
both natural and cultural features. They learn how people regulate the
use of places and how differences over their use can be resolved.
Students develop geographic skills and knowledge required to begin to
think and act at a local level as geologists, meteorologists, town
planners and economists.
Civics and citizenship
Because people are social beings, they live as members of a variety of
groups. Through this strand, students will study the kinds of groups
people form, the kinds of groups they join, the ways in which groups
function, and the ways in which interaction occurs within and between
groups, regions and nations. They will learn about different groups that
exist in the society, the reasons why groups are formed, and the
dynamic nature of groups. They will find out how groups operate to meet
particular goals, challenges and crises.

Students will understand their rights, roles, and responsibilities as they
have as citizens of Papua New Guinea and they will learn about the
rules and laws that determine people’s behaviour. They will discover
how individuals, communities, and nations exercise their rights and meet
their responsibilities. They will understand the effects of change on
these rights, roles and responsibilities too. They use democratic skills
and knowledge to understand the ethical roles of politicians and
community leaders.
Environment and sustainability
Students will develop their knowledge of the nature of resources and of
the ways people work to obtain resources. Students will learn that
resources are limited and that, as consequences, the allocation and
management of resources involves difficult choice, which may
sometimes lead to conflict. Students will understand the ways in which
economic activities can create advantages and disadvantages for the
environment and for particular individuals, groups, institutions and
nations.

Until recently population, farming and fishing have been sustainable in
Papua New Guinea for 10,000 years, perhaps longer than anywhere
else in the world. International trade, increased population and
technology have led to unsustainable ways such as over fishing, over
clearing of land and too few resources for all. This strand will encourage

13

Social Science

students to realise that to sustain healthy lives for all Papua New Guinea
people and the land, everyone must contribute to solutions.

Students will learn and act at a local level as ecologists and
environmentalists in ways that also contribute to sustainable
development.
14

Lower Secondary Syllabus
Units
The content for this syllabus is organised into units. Each unit has a unit
description, specific learning outcomes which link with the broad
learning outcomes of the subject, topics, and indications of what skills
and knowledge must be studied in each topic, assessment criteria and
examples of assessment tasks.

There are seven core units and one optional unit. All students must
complete the four core units in grade 9 and the three core units in grade
10. All units are 10 weeks long. Extensions are provided in some core
units for students who wish to study the content in more depth. Schools
may teach the Grade 10 option unit if they wish to.

The units are:

9.1
Places in the Pacific Region


Extension – Climate and its effects

9.2

Population Change, Resources and Migration
Extension

Land, law and people in Papua New Guinea

9.3
Investigating Papua New Guinea History

9.4

Civics and Citizenship
Extension -
Comparative study of systems of government

10.1

Resource Development and Management

10.2

Environment Change, Pollution and Solutions
Extension
-
Global environmental change

10.3
Papua New Guinea and the Global Community

Extension - International relationships in action

Option 1 Think Globally, Act Locally

School developed units
In Social Science schools may develop their own unit to replace the
Grade 10 option and/or replace the extension work in Grade 9 or 10
units with school developed content. Units are developed within the
nationally accredited curriculum framework and use the broad learning
outcomes of the subject. In both cases the changes must be submitted
to the Secondary Board of Studies for approval.







15

Social Science


Unit learning outcomes mapped against broad learning outcomes
Blo

1 Communicate
2 Explain the
3 Explain the
4 Demonstrate
5 Apply the
6 Demonstrate
s
ideas and
relationships
relationships
understanding of
Social Science
understanding of
information in a
between people,
between natural
issues relating to
skills of inquiry,
personal
variety of ways
space, places and
and built
sustainable,
observation,
responsibilities in

events through
environments in
ethical allocation
classification,
relation to a
time
Papua New Guinea and management
recording and
sustainable

and the world
of resources
interpreting
society and



environment
Unit Demonstrate a
Apply
geographic
Apply
geographic

9.1
range of mapping
skills to describe the
skills to describe
skills
physical
the physical

surroundings they
surroundings they
live in
live in
Demonstrate

understanding of

physical characteristic

s of places in the Pacif
Unit Demonstrate
Demonstrate an
Demonstrate
an
Demonstrate
an
9.2
graphing and
understanding of
understanding of
understanding of
mapping skills
population change
population change
population change

and its impact on
its and impact on
and its impact on
the environment
the environment
the environment
Describe the social
Describe the social
Describe the social
issues caused by
issues caused by
issues caused by
population change
population change
population change
Unit Investigate
Identify the social
Investigate

9.3
aspects of PNG’s
forces that have
aspects of PNG’s
past from a range
shaped and
past from a range
of historical
continue to shape
of historical
sources and
Papua New Guinea
sources and
communicate
and its neighbours
communicate
findings from
Explain the relations
findings from
investigations in
between people and
investigations in
oral and written
events through time
oral and written
forms
forms
Unit Demonstrate
an

Demonstrate an
Apply social
Apply social science
9.4
understanding of

understanding of
science skills to
skills to make sound
political systems of

political systems of
make sound or
or informed
Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea
informed
decisions



decisions


Unit
Examine and
Describe
and
Compare and
Describe
and
10.1
discuss
explain how people
contrast renewable
explain how people
.
government
can manage
and non-renewable
can manage
policies on natural
resources in a
resources
resources in a
resources in PNG
sustainable way
Examine and
sustainable way

discuss government

policies on natural
resources in PNG
Unit Communicate
Identify,
describe
Apply
knowledge
Apply knowledge
10.2 ideas and
and explain the
and skills to
and skills to
information in a
causes and effects
preserve and
preserve and
variety of ways
of environmental
promote a
promote a

changes
sustainable
sustainable
environment for a
environment for a
better living
better living
Unit Communicate
Compare and
Collect,
organise
Compare and
10.3
ideas and
contrast types of
and present
contrast types of
.
information about
conflict
information for a
conflict
the cultural, social,
variety of

political economic
purposes
relations that exist

between PNG and

the global

16

Lower Secondary Syllabus
community
Unit sequence and content
Grade 9 units 10 weeks
Grade 10 units 10 weeks
9.1 Places in the Pacific Region
10.1 Resource Development and
• Places in PNG and the Pacific
Management
• Shaping the land
• Non-renewable resources
• Climatic regions of the Pacific and
• Renewable resources
their characteristics
• People and the Earth
• Vegetation of the Pacific region
• Government and resource
• Land use in the Pacific
development and management in
• Countries in the Pacific
Papua New Guinea


Extension: Climate and its effects


9.2 Population Change, Resources and
10.2 Environmental Change, Pollution

Migration
and Solutions
• Where people live and why
• Environmental change –past,
• Population change
present and future
• People on the move
• The ways in which people change

their environment
Local population patterns

• The local environment
The pull of the city


Conservation and preservation of
the environment
Extension: Land, law and people in Papua
New Guinea


Extension: Global environmental change

9.3 Investigating Papua New Guinea
10.3 Papua New Guinea and the Global
History
Community
• Introduction
• Globalisation and its effect on
• Tingim bek – finding out about PNG
Papua New Guinea
history
• What are international relations?
- The far distant past (50,000+ yrs
• Conflicts and resolutions
ago)

- The world comes to PNG (1600s -
Extension: International relationships in
1900s)
action
- World Wars in Papua New Guinea


9.4 Civics and Citizenship
Option
• Independence
Think Globally, Act Locally
• Being a citizen
• Community project - participate in a
• Being a leader
local initiative to address an
• Government
environmental or social problem
• Law and order

• Ethics

Extension:
Comparative study of systems
of government


17

Social Science

Grade 9 units
9.1 Places in the Pacific region


10
weeks


How far is Port Moresby from Fiji? Why do we have rainforest in Papua
New Guinea? Why do we have volcanoes in Papua New Guinea?
Students in Grade 9 will be able to answer such questions after
studying this unit. This unit enables students to learn where Papua New
Guinea is in relation to the rest of the world. Students learn how to
locate villages, towns, cities, countries and the major oceans and
continents. They learn how land was formed and shaped, and is shaping
all the time. They learn about the effects of climate on the vegetation in
the Pacific region.

This unit encourages students to observe, collect, identify, map and
record the physical features of environments by participating in outdoor
lessons and excursions.

Students’ achievements of the learning outcomes will be assessed
through the application of geographical skills in a field trip or activity and
a case study, and mapping tests.

Students can study the extension work if they complete the core unit.


Unit learning outcomes

Students can:

9.1.1 demonstrate a range of mapping skills
9.1.2 apply geographic skills to describe the physical surroundings they
live in
9.1.3 demonstrate an understanding of physical characteristics of
places in the Pacific.


Content

Students acquire knowledge and skills through the teaching and learning
of this content. Students participate in field trips or outdoor activities to
observe, sketch and map geographical features of the local environment
such as landforms, vegetation and land use. Students describe the
physical features and land use of at least one Pacific country which
contrasts with their own environment. Students use atlases extensively
throughout this unit.
Places in Papua New Guinea and the Pacific
Atlas work
• where is Papua New Guinea in the Pacific?
• which countries are Papua New Guinea’s neighbours?
• locating continents and oceans
18

Lower Secondary Syllabus
• locating countries in the Pacific region
• using lines of latitudes
• using lines of longitude
• using scale – to determine distances and understand size
• direction.
Physical characteristics of the local environment and one
contrasting country in the Pacific

Shaping the land
• land building factors
- the moving crust
- the islands of the Pacific.
• land shaping factors
- weathering
- erosion
- deposition
- natural disasters e.g. landslides, eruptions
- man-made changes e.g. reclaimed land, quarries, mines, dams.
Climatic regions of the Pacific and their characteristics
• tropical
regions
- temperature
- rainfall
- effect of climate on vegetation
• temperate
regions
- temperature
- rainfall
- effect of climate on vegetation
• climate characteristics of the local environment.
Vegetation of the Pacific region and the local environment
• natural vegetation – forest, grassland, swamp, coastal
• changes to vegetation over time - impact of:
- population
- animals
- fire
- climate change including green house effect and pollution
- natural disasters
• location and climate
• introduced
vegetation.
Land use in the Pacific and the local area
• forest
• agriculture
- subsistence
- semi-subsistence
- commercial
• industry

19

Social Science

• resources
• urban

• coastal
• local
area.
Countries in the Pacific
Case study of the physical characteristics of one Pacific country that
contrasts with the local environment such as Australia, Fiji, Samoa,
Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Tonga, Indonesia, and New Zealand:
- land forms
- climate
- vegetation
- land-use.
Skills to be taught and learnt
• observation and classification when studying land shaping factors
• mapping, graphing, drawing skills
• using an atlas
• recognising and recalling information
• collecting and analysing information
• research and inquiry skills
• interpreting, comparing and explaining changes in vegetation
• numeracy and literacy skills.


Extension: Climate and its effects

This extension enables students to examine aspects of climate in more
depth:

• what makes climate different?
- angle of the sun
- seasons
- altitude and latitude
- distance from the sea
- air movements
- precipitation
- wind patterns
• the difference between climate and weather
• climate and its effects on vegetation
• cyclones and their effect on Papua New Guinea.


20

Lower Secondary Syllabus
Assessment for 9.1 Places in the Pacific region
Assessment Task One
Mapping test
- label
maps
- calculate
distance
- locate places
- identify major physical features of Pacific countries.
Assessment criteria
Assessment task one will be assessed on the extent to which students
can:

• use scales to calculate distances between places

• use latitude and longitude references accurately to locate places on
a map

correctly
label
maps.





30 marks
Assessment Task Two
Using maps, sketches, diagrams and graphs describe the physical
characteristics of:
- the local environment based on field trip observations or outdoor
activities
- one
Pacific
country.
Assessment criteria
Assessment task two will be assessed on the extent to which students
can:

• identify and describe physical features of the local environment

• identify and describe physical characteristics of one Pacific country
• describe people’s use of the local environment
• accurately and clearly report information through maps, sketches,
diagrams, and graphs.




70 marks











Total: 100 marks







21

Social Science

9.2 Population change, resources and migration
10 weeks
What is population explosion? Does it affect the natural resources this
earth has? This unit will empower students by providing basic factual
information about the relationships that exists between people and
resources. Students will learn the basic aspects of population, resources
and migration. The population of Papua New Guinea and the world is
increasing at a very rapid rate and the demand for necessities of life is
very high. Natural resources, goods and services are used at an
alarming rate. Most goods and services are not equally and fairly
distributed to all people. People move when they can not sustain their
livelihood. A city is where people aim for. Rural-urban migration creates
serious social and environmental problems for all cities. This unit will
help students realise that the world they live in is in danger and they
need to develop strategies now to solve some of these problems to save
it.

Current articles in newspapers will be used for resources for this unit.
Students’ achievements of the learning outcomes will be assessed
through an oral presentation and a test.

Students undertake the extension if they complete the core unit.


Unit learning outcomes

Students can:

9.2.1 demonstrate an understanding of population change and its
impact on the environment
9.2.2 describe the social issues caused by population change
9.2.3 demonstrate graphing and mapping skills.


Content

Students acquire knowledge and skills through the teaching and learning
of this content. Students will analyse newspaper and other media
articles and reports which refer to population issues such as population
growth, migration, land use and law and order. Students will survey local
groups to find out where they came from and why they moved.
Where people live and why
Where do people live in the world?

• world population distribution and density
- why some areas of the world are densely populated?
- why some areas of the world are sparsely populated?
• overpopulation
- when is an area over-populated?
- why do areas become overpopulated?
- which areas of the world are over-populated?

22

Lower Secondary Syllabus
Population change
Population change in Papua New Guinea:

• causes of population change
- high birth rate
- rapid population growth
- possible effects of disease and epidemics such as HIV/AIDS,
malaria, TB
• the effects of population change
- pressure on land and resources
- overcrowding in cities
- social problems
- law and order problems
- sustainability of resources and the environment.

Comparison of population structure and problems of Papua New Guinea
with at least one other country e.g. Japan, Australia, Uganda, China,
Indonesia, South Africa.
People on the move
Migration

• why do people migrate?
- pressure on land and resources
- natural disasters such as famine
- promise of a better life
• migration during prehistory
• forced migration (refugees) such as after famine, war or conflict (at
least one case study).
Local population patterns
Detailed study of a squatter settlement, village station or town using field
trips, surveys or questionnaires to find out about:

- where people have come from and why they came
- changes to the population
- access to services
- levels of employment
- changes to employment options over time.
The pull of the city
• rural –urban migration – causes and effects
• comparison of urbanisation in the developed and developing world
• advantages and problems of living in cities
• urbanisation in Papua New Guinea.
Skills to be taught and learnt
• recognising and recalling information
• interpreting, comparing and explaining population statistics

23

Social Science

• graphing and mapping skills
• communicating ideas and information in a variety of ways
• survey
and
questioning
skills
• inquiry and research skills
• analysing media articles and reports.


24

Lower Secondary Syllabus
Extension - Land, law and people in Papua New Guinea
This extension looks at the importance of land to the people of Papua
New Guinea. It looks at the laws relating to land, problems to do with
land ownership and emphasises sustainable land management
practices. Students use media resources to collect information about
land issues in Papua New Guinea.
The importance of land in Papua New Guinea
• land ownership
• land
registration
• land
disputes
• land
compensation
• land
usage

• land
management
• sustaining the land and sea.


25

Social Science

Assessment for 9.2 Population change, resources and migration
Assessment Task One
Test - Interpreting population statistics such as:

• graphs

• tables
• population
pyramids
• population density maps.
Assessment criteria
Assessment task one will be assessed on the extent to which students
can:

• clearly interpret graphs/tables etc




• clearly define demographic terms with examples.
40 marks
Assessment Task Two
Oral presentation on population change or migration and its causes and
effects in either a global context or a local context
Assessment criteria
Assessment task two will be assessed on the extent to which students
can:

• demonstrate an understanding of factors which cause population to
change
• describe impact of population change or migration


• communicate information clearly.




60 marks






Total: 100 marks

26

Lower Secondary Syllabus
9.3 Investigating Papua New Guinea history

10
weeks
How did the people live in Papua New Guinea and the Pacific region for
the last 50 years? What about 50,000 years ago? How do we know?
This unit will be able to provide some answers to these questions. This
unit deals with the social changes that have occurred in the past in
Papua New Guinea and the Pacific region. Students will examine how
different types of historical evidence can help them understand how
people have lived, how they were discovered and colonised by other
people, how they have contributed towards the development of their
country, and how they became independent and progressed to this day.
Students will learn the ways in which these people’s values, aspirations
and actions that have been shaped and continue to be shaped by the
social changes that occur with time.

This unit allows students to examine the ways in which the past can be
investigated, analysed, remembered and recorded through practical
lessons that focus on examining evidence. They will learn that people
experience events in differing ways and that people’s views of time and
events differ from one to another. Students will consider and appreciate
how past experiences and actions are perceived, interpreted and
revised and how these perceptions and interpretations may influence
people’s view and actions in the future.

In this unit students learn and apply historical concepts, skills and
methods to go back in time and place to uncover the origin of their
people and place. When the students discover their origin they will be
able to understand the present and use this knowledge to predict their
future. In this way students will respect and be proud of their cultural and
historical heritage in their community. Skills include collecting and
analysing information from different sources, explaining historical
concepts and events both orally and in writing, listening, questioning and
summarising.

Students’ achievement of the learning outcomes will be assessed
through tests and a historical investigations portfolio.



Unit learning outcomes

Students can:

9.3.1 investigate aspects of Papua New Guinea’s past from a range of
historical sources and communicate findings from investigations in
oral and written forms
9.3.2 identify the social forces that have shaped and continue to shape
Papua New Guinea and its neighbours
9.3.3 explain the relations between people and events through time.


27

Social Science


Content

Students acquire knowledge and skills through the teaching and learning
of this content. Students will investigate people and events in Papua
New Guinea’s history through evidence based activities including:
Site study

For example: war cemetery, public monument, archaeological site,
buildings of historical significance, cultural
events/celebrations/initiations, and museums
Oral history

For example: traditional story tellers/village elders, war veterans,
community figures, participants in historical events, family members
Recorded history

Primary and secondary sources, for example: speeches, letters,
newspapers, records, journals, documentary film, photographs,
paintings, songs, radio, recordings
Artifacts

For example: stone axe, adze, pottery, digging stick, bones, relics of
the colonial era, relics of missionary activity, war relics
Introduction
• What is history?
• Why do we study history?
• How do historians investigate the past?
Tingim bek – finding out about Papua New Guinea history
The far distant past (50,000+ yrs ago):

• evidence - what are proofs of today that tell of the far distant past?
• the Pacific pathfinders
- who were the early people who arrived in Papua New Guinea
and the Pacific region?
• living in the Pacific
- how did they live in the past in the Pacific?
• changing life patterns
- what are the changes the people had to adopt and adapt?
The world comes to Papua New Guinea (1600s -1900s)
• evidence - what are proofs of today that tell of the people who came
to the Pacific?
• newcomers to the Pacific
- who, why, when did newcomers come to the Pacific?
28

Lower Secondary Syllabus
- examine one Southeast Asian country and one European
example.
• effects and reactions
- explorers and ‘new’ land
- longer contacts
- the explorers
- the settler – Australia and New Zealand
- traders, miners, planters and labour recruiters
- missionaries
- administrators and government representatives.
World Wars in Papua New Guinea
• evidence - what are proofs of today that tell of the wars in Papua
New Guinea?
• why war came to Papua New Guinea
• the experiences of Papua New Guinean people during the wars
• long-term effects of the war.
Skills to be taught and learnt
Investigation skills

• pose historical questions
• plan and conduct investigations using appropriate information
gathering strategies
• collect information from a range of appropriate sources
• analyse and organise information in response to the historical
questions posed

Skills of analysis

• critically evaluate the points of view in different historical sources
• interpret information from graphic forms such as maps, tables,
graphs, flow charts, diagrams, illustrations, cartoon
• construct timelines for different purposes
• discuss historical issues
• explain historical events
• analyse cause and effect
• identify important events, issues, features
• summarise information for a particular purpose
• use information collected to infer and extrapolate
• listening, viewing and note taking

Communication skills

• present information in a variety of written forms such as short
answers, summaries, reports, essays
• present information in a variety of graphic forms including maps,
tables, graphs, flow charts, diagrams, illustrations, models
• present information orally in a variety of ways such as discussions,
talks, dramatic reconstructions/role plays, interviews


29

Social Science


Attitudes and values such as tolerance, social justice, cultural
awareness and respect must underpin this unit

30

Lower Secondary Syllabus
Assessment for 9.3 Investigating Papua New Guinea History
Assessment Task One
Test with short answer questions
Assessment criteria
Assessment task one will be assessed on the extent to which students
can:

• identify social forces that shaped people’s lives in the past and
present
• explain the relationship between people and events through time
• use historical terms and concepts in appropriate contexts.







40 marks

Assessment Task Two
Historical investigations portfolio
Assessment criteria
Assessment task two will be assessed on the extent to which students
can:

• plan and conduct investigations using appropriate information
gathering strategies
• collect information from a range of appropriate sources
• analyse and organise information in response to the historical
questions posed by the investigation
• explain the relationship between people and events through time
• use historical terms and concepts in appropriate contexts.







60 marks











Total: 100 marks

31

Social Science

9.4 Civics and citizenship



10
weeks
Students will learn that Papua New Guinea, like any other society
throughout history, has structures and rules for the benefit of all citizens.
This unit will help students to appreciate, promote and develop a
positive approach to the rules of society at an individual, community and
global level and will therefore focus on roles, rights and responsibilities.
Students will understand and value these when interacting with others,
observing, critically evaluating and analysing society and its effects on
their lives. By knowing about their rights and responsibilities and acting
appropriately, they can contribute to society and influence future change
in a positive way.

Students’ achievements of the learning outcomes will be assessed
through practical activities.


Unit learning outcomes

Students can:

9.4.1 apply social science skills to make sound or informed decisions
9.4.2 demonstrate an understanding of political systems of Papua New
Guinea.


Content

Students acquire knowledge and skills through the teaching and learning
of this content.
Independence
• independent Papua New Guinea
- main steps to independence
- key people – case study of one person
- impact on provision of services
• Papua New Guinea - how far have we gone?
- what can we learn from the past?
- neo - colonialism

- independent yet dependent
- where do we want to go - how can we get there?
Being a citizen
• individual rights and responsibilities
- obeying laws of the land
- ethical and responsible personal decision making
- volunteering in the community
- looking after land and property
- civic duties of citizens
• voting
- when and how do I enrol?
32

Lower Secondary Syllabus
- completion of enrolment forms
- enrolment in the common role
- vote for a good leader.
Being a leader
• role of elected leaders
• leadership
qualities
• responsibilities
to
- the people
- the province
- the nation.
Government
• provide essential services, such as:
- health
- education
- infrastructure
- management of country’s resources
- security – police and army
• elections
- role and function of electoral commission
- electoral processes
- voting in elections
- limited preferential voting.
Law and order
• why do we need laws?
• what are the sources of Papua New Guinea law?
• how are laws made today?
• who has the final say about law in Papua New Guinea?
• how does Papua New Guinea’s legal system attempt to ensure
fairness and to protect people
• constitution
and
laws
- the purpose of the constitution
- types of laws
• law
enforcement
- Ombudsman - roles and functions and process for complaint
- court systems
- policing.
Ethics
• what are ethics?
• corruption
- bribery
- nepotism
- mismanagement
• impact of misuse of positions of responsibility
• impact of misuse of public funds
• human
rights.

33

Social Science

Skills to be taught and learnt
• research and find out about changes of the past
• collect, record and evaluate information
• investigating
skills
• decision making skills
• compare and contrast events and changes
• analyse articles and cartoons
• identify and recall information
• deconstruct information to determine a point of view
• communication skills such as debate and discussion.


Extension:
Comparative study of systems of government

Comparison of Papua New Guinea’s parliamentary system with the
government of one other country:

• type of government and characteristics
• rights of citizens
• law and order.


34

Lower Secondary Syllabus
Assessment for 9.4 Civics and citizenship
Assessment Task One
Group work: Develop a set of rules for an organisation outlining member
rights and responsibilities.
Assessment criteria
Assessment task one will be assessed on the extent to which students
can:

• Develop a set of practical rules
• explain the purpose
of rules and how they protect the individual as well as the
organization as a whole.








30
marks

Assessment Task Two
Students organise a mock parliament and hold a debate on an issue.
Assessment criteria
Assessment task two will be assessed on the extent to which students
can:

• demonstrate an understanding of the processes and procedures of
parliament
• use informed arguments to debate an issue
• communicate information in a variety of ways
• participate in the mock parliament sessions.






70 marks
or
Students conduct a mock election
Assessment criteria
Assessment task two will be assessed on the extent to which students
can:

• plan, organise and conduct election campaign
• demonstrate understanding of electoral procedures
• communicate information in a variety of ways
• participate in the mock election campaign.



70 marks
Total: 100 marks

35

Social Science

Grade 10 units
10.1 Resource development and management

10
weeks
Grade 10 students should know that the resources in their environment
are renewable and non-renewable. Students will also know that Papua
New Guinea’s and the world’s population has increased rapidly over the
recent years. It is therefore easy for people to abuse the resources
around them. In Papua New Guinea, the ability to develop and manage
these resources in a sustainable way for the benefit of the people now
and for the future generations to come will depend very much on the
attitudes of themselves and the government.

Students’ achievements of the learning outcomes will be assessed
through a portfolio and a test.


Unit learning outcomes

Students can:

10.1.1 compare and contrast renewable and non-renewable resources
10.1.2 describe and explain how people can manage resources in a
sustainable way
10.1.1 examine and discuss government policies on natural resources
in Papua New Guinea.


Content

Students acquire knowledge and skills through the teaching and learning
of this content.
Non-renewable resources
• features of non-renewable resources
• minerals such as gold, copper, nickel
• energy, such as gas, oil, coal
• conservation of non–renewable resources
- what can individuals, small communities and governments do?
- international examples of good practice.
Renewable resources
• features of renewable resources
• forestry
- global location of forests
- benefits of forests
- deforestation and reforestation
• water
- distribution of fresh and sea water in the world
- consumption of water: developed countries and developing
countries
36

Lower Secondary Syllabus
- importance of water - source of energy, irrigation, domestic use,
transportation
- water conservation
• air
- importance of clean air
- ways of looking after the air around us
• conservation of renewable resources
- what can individuals, small communities and governments do?
- international examples of good practice.
People and the earth
How and why use of resources has changed over time:

• how people used the land 50,000 years ago
• people and food
- agriculture 15-10,000 years ago
• case study of an example of changing use of resources such as
- Industrial revolution
- PNG highlands
- Tigris and Euphrates
• timeline: people and resource use over time.
Government and resource development and management in
Papua New Guinea

• role of government in resource development and management
• resource management policies - mining, forestry, agriculture,
fisheries
• sustainable use of resources in PNG.
Skills to be taught and learnt
• deconstruct information to determine a point of view or bias
• use inquiry skills to find out information
• compare and construct information provided
• decision making skills
• interpret, classify and summarise information
• research and library skills
• mapping and drawing skills.


37

Social Science

Assessment for 10.1 Resource development and management
Assessment Task One
Test – renewable and non-renewable resources



Assessment criteria
Assessment task one will be assessed on the extent to which students
can:

• differentiate between renewable and non renewable resources

• describe characteristics of different types of resources

• demonstrate an understanding of conservation strategies
• demonstrate an understanding of resource management strategies
in Papua New Guinea.
40 marks

Assessment Task Two
Portfolio collection of articles or information from sources such as
newspapers, magazines, library books, radio or television broadcasts
about resource issues in Papua New Guinea and the world. Students
collect at least three articles about three different issues and annotate
them with comments on the issue, put forward their point of view in
relation to it and suggest solutions.
Assessment criteria
Assessment task two will be assessed on the extent to which students
can:

• collect articles on a range of resource issues



• demonstrate an understanding of the resource issues through their
annotations
• put forward a reasoned point of view about the issues
• suggest solutions to the problems of the issues.


60 marks

Total: 100 marks

38

Lower Secondary Syllabus
10.2 Environmental change, pollution and solutions 10
weeks
In this unit students learn that Papua New Guinea, as part of the global
community, has been, is being and will continue to be affected by
environmental change. The students observe, identify and critically
analyse peoples’ impact on the physical environment. They examine
environmental changes from the past to the present and use this
knowledge to predict, plan and act for changes in the future. Hence,
students are equipped with skills and knowledge to protect and preserve
the environment and make the world a better place to live in. They think
globally and act locally to make the world a better place to live in.

Students’ achievements of the learning outcomes will be assessed
through flow charts or diagrams and a case study.

Students can undertake the extension if they complete the core unit.


Unit learning outcomes

Students can:

10.2.1 identify, describe and explain the causes and effects of
environmental changes
10.2.2 apply knowledge and skills to preserve and promote a
sustainable environment for better living
10.2.3 communicate ideas and information in a variety of ways.


Content

Students acquire knowledge and skills through the teaching and learning
of this content.
Environmental change –past, present and future
• type of change e.g. slow or violent, rapid change
• people who analyse change as part of their work e.g. geologists,
palaeontologists
• effects of change – adaptation versus extinction
• predicting and planning for future changes
• climate change - global warming, the green house effect, the “hole”
in ozone layer.
The ways in which people change their environment
• overpopulation
- pressure on the land
- introduction of new animals and plants
• extinction of animals
• deforestation
• pollution
- types of pollution

39

Social Science

- preventative measures – personal, local, global.
The local environment
Study trip to a local area that has been affected by human or physical
activities to observe and record changes in the environment, for
example:

• river systems, e.g. pollution, erosion, overfishing
• coastal area, e.g. damaged reefs, too few fish or turtles, pollution
• mining area, e.g. reforestation, water pollution, danger for humans
• settlement, e.g. too little firewood, birds, animals, pollution, lack of
safety
• factories/industries, e.g. are they sustainable, environmentally
friendly?
Conservation and preservation of the environment
• the green revolution
• reasons for preserving the environment
• conserving wildlife – why and how
• conservation in Papua New Guinea – case study of local examples
of conservation or preservation in mining/logging/fishing, e.g.
OK Tedi, Misima gold mine, Lihir gold mine.
• environmental repair – practical projects such as
- cleaning reefs, beaches, parks, the school, streets, community
areas
- replanting trees, grass, shrubs
- clear trash racks in creeks and storm water drains.
Skills to be taught and learnt
• survey
and
questioning
skills
• planning, collecting, recording, and analysing information
• interpreting, comparing and explaining resources
• identify and recall information
• interpret, classify and summarise information
• deconstruct information to determine a point of view or bias
• communicate ideas and information in a variety of ways
• decision making skills.


Extension:
Global environmental change

Global environmental problems are studied in this extension. It will
enable students to see the interrelationships between global problems
and problems in Papua New Guinea. Students learn through library
research and case studies.
Planning for the future
• sustainable
development
globally
• population
control
40

Lower Secondary Syllabus
• environmental
safety
Case studies on disasters causing damage to the
environment and affecting the population– for example

• pollution in river systems in Papua New Guinea
• drought caused by El Nino in the highlands
• oil
spills
• cyclones and floods in New Orleans in the USA
• drought and famine in Africa
• monsoons in Asia.


Assessment for 10.2 Environmental change, pollution and solutions

Assessment Task One
Produce charts or diagrams of cause and effect of climate or
environmental change
Assessment criteria
Assessment task one will be assessed on the extent to which students
can:

• identify the main features of at least one aspect of climate or
environmental change in a chart or diagram.
30 marks

Assessment Task Two
Case study – conserving and preserving an environment
Assessment criteria
Assessment task two will be assessed on the extent to which students
can:

• describe and explain the causes and effects of changes to a
particular environment
• identify and explain a method of conserving and preserving the case-
study environment
• demonstrate an understanding of how plants and/or animals will
benefit from conserving and preserving the environment


• use maps, diagrams or graphs to support their explanations.






70 marks










Total: 100 marks




41

Social Science

10.3 Papua New Guinea and the global community 10
weeks
This unit focuses on Papua New Guinea as part of the global community
and its increasing interdependence with other countries. Students learn
about the modern types of social, economic and political structures and
relationships established at the international level. They also learn that
international conflicts occur when international relations turn sour
between ethnic groups and countries and how this can affect Papua
New Guinea. Students are encouraged to look at other ways of solving
these conflicts before opting for war. Students develop these
understandings by interacting with one another and asking questions,
observing and critically evaluating and analysing how Papua New
Guinea is faring with its neighbouring countries and the rest of the world.
By using investigating, reasoning, participating and communicating
skills, students learn to become purposeful, tolerant and active members
of the local, national and global community.

Students’ achievements of the learning outcomes will be through
assessment of a case study and a test.


Unit learning outcomes

Students can:

10.3.1 describe and explain the cultural, social, political and economic
relations that exist between Papua New Guinea and the global
community
10.3.2 compare and contrast types of conflict
10.3.3 collect, organise and present information for a variety of
purposes.


Content

Students acquire knowledge and skills through the teaching and learning
of this content. Students will study current events through newspaper
cuttings, radio and television news reports and documentaries.
Globalisation and its effect on Papua New Guinea
• what is globalisation?
• how has globalisation affected PNG?
- exposure to international brands
- western influences
- music, film and television
- education expectations
- travel and tourism.
What are international relations?
• definition of international relations
• international relations between PNG and other countries in terms of:
- trade
42

Lower Secondary Syllabus
- immigration
- aid
o types of aid such as emergency aid, relief aid
o reasons
for
aid
o donor and recipient countries
o advantages and disadvantages of receiving aid
o sustainable
aid
- security
- Melanesian countries
o South Pacific Forum
o Melanesian Spearhead Group.
Conflicts and resolutions
Choose one case-study from each of the following types of conflict and
examine the origins of the conflict, impact of the conflict and approaches
to resolving the conflict including responses by governments.

Ethnic conflict:

• conflict in Papua New Guinea, for example tribal conflict,
Bougainville crisis
• struggle for independence in West Papua
• conflict in the Pacific regions, for example Fiji, Kanaks, Solomon
Islands
• Rwanda
genocide
• Serb and Croat conflict.

International conflict, for example:

• war in Iraq
• conflict in the Sudan.

Other types of conflict such as terrorism, civil war, religious:
• current
examples
• 9/11 Twin Towers destruction in New York, USA
• Bali bombing, Indonesia.

Skills to be taught and learnt
• inquiry and library/internet skills
• collect, analyse and organise information
• communicate information in a variety of ways
• listening
skills
• public
speaking
• classifying, inferring, comparing and explaining skills
• decision making skills
• investigating
skills.



43

Social Science

Extension: International relationships in action
In this extension students will complete two case studies to describe the
relationships between two of the pairs of countries listed below.

The case studies will explore the relationships in action in terms of:

• immigration
• aid
• trade

• foreign affairs,
• security agreements.

Choose two from, for example:

• Papua New Guinea and Indonesia, or Japan or China or Australia
• The USA and UK
• Australia and Indonesia or China
• USA and Kuwait or Iraq or Iran OR Israel
• France and New Caledonia.


Assessment for 10.3 Papua New Guinea and the Global Community

Assessment Task One
Case-study of conflict
Assessment criteria
Assessment task one will be assessed on the extent to which students
can:

• collect and analyse information and present findings

• compare and contrast the origins and nature of the conflict and
approaches to resolution

• describe the consequences of the conflict.










50 marks

Assessment Task Two - Test
Assessment criteria
Assessment task two will be assessed on the extent to which students
can demonstrate an understanding of:

• globalisation and its implications for PNG
• international relations between PNG and other countries
• agreements involving Papua New Guinea.











50 marks




Total: 100 marks
44

Lower Secondary Syllabus
Option 1: Think globally, act locally - Community project

This option can be done in Term 4




5 weeks

This option unit is designed for grade 10. It will enable students to
design and participate in a practical project that contributes to resource
management in their local communities.

Students’ achievements of the learning outcomes will be assessed
through a project report.


Unit learning outcomes

Students can:

10.4.1
design activities that contribute to community resource
management
10.4.2
describe how people and resources depend on each other for
their existence
10.4.3
develop the knowledge and skills to look after resources in
their local area.


Content

Students acquire knowledge and skills through the teaching and learning
of this content.
Community project – Local resource area management
Students will take part in a short excursion to a local resource area that
has been affected by development, for example a forestry area, mine,
fish processing plant, factory, local market, or local small industry, to
identify:

• costs and benefits for environment
• resource management issues
• possible future improvements
• job
opportunities.

Students will use flow charts, maps, diagrams, surveys and guest
speakers to describe their findings.

Students will design and participate in an activity that will help improve
the management of the local resource area they have studied. Students
may, for example:

• conduct
a clean-a-thon to protect local resources
• conduct a debate e.g. short term gain versus long term loss
• conduct a survey of the needs of the community in relation to goods
and services which could be provided by the
- local market
- local industries

45

Social Science

• brainstorm how local needs can be met in a sustainable way
• invite guest speakers for awareness programs.
Skills to be taught and learnt
• collect, record, analyse and evaluate information
• research and inquiry skills when investigating socially and
economically related issues – mining effects
• drawing and mapping skills
• communicate information in a variety of ways
• investigating
skills
• decision making skills.



Assessment for option Think globally, act locally

Assessment task
Report on community resource management project
Assessment criteria
This assessment task will be assessed on the extent to which students
can:

• demonstrate an understanding of the issues through describing and
explaining costs and benefits for the environment and the community
• produce appropriate maps and graphs


• suggest a range of appropriate future directions

• design and participate in a community resource management
project.











Total 50 marks







46

Lower Secondary Syllabus
Assessment, examinations and certification
Assessment and reporting practices described here are detailed further
in the National Assessment and Reporting Policy for Papua New Guinea
(2003) and in other support materials produced by the Department of
Education.
Assessment
The main purpose of assessment is to improve student learning.

Assessment needs to be for learning as well as of learning. It is used to
evaluate and improve teaching and learning, report achievement and
provide feedback to students on their progress.

Assessment measures students’ achievement of learning outcomes as
described in the syllabus. It is the ongoing process of identifying,
gathering and interpreting information about students’ achievement of
the learning outcomes.

For teaching and learning to be outcomes-based, teachers need to plan
their teaching and assess learner performance in relation to outcomes
using criteria derived from those outcomes.

Assessing in an outcomes-based way involves focusing less on whether
a learner has "passed" or "failed" and more on what outcomes a learner
has achieved and in which areas further support is required.
Assessment in Social Science
A student’s achievement in Social Science at the end of Grade 10 will be
assessed against the broad learning outcomes. Assessment of student
progress towards achieving these broad outcomes is cumulative
throughout Grade 9 and 10 using specific outcomes for each unit. The
matrix on pages 13 and 14 of the syllabus shows how the unit outcomes
are linked to the broad learning outcomes.

During the course of each unit students must complete the tasks
specified for the unit. Teachers will expand each task and provide clear
guidelines to students for how the task will be completed and how the
criteria will be applied.

The assessment tasks and criteria in each unit ensure that there is a
common focus for internal assessment in the subject across schools
while allowing for flexibility in the design of tasks. A variety of tasks are
specified to give students the opportunity to demonstrate all the broad
learning outcomes in different ways and to improve the validity and
reliability of the assessment.

It is important that teachers plan the teaching and learning sequence so
that there is a balanced spread of assessment during the unit. Some
tasks, such as investigations or case studies can be designed so that
they are completed over a period of time rather than at the end of the

47

Social Science

unit. Other tasks can be done immediately the relevant section of the
unit has been covered.
Assessment for the School Certificate
A student’s overall achievement in Social Science will be both internally
and externally assessed. The mark awarded to each student for the
School Certificate will be a combination of the internal assessment mark
provided by the school and the examination mark.
Internal assessment
Internal assessment provides a measure of a student’s achievement
based on a wider range of syllabus content and outcomes than may be
covered by the external examination alone.

For Social Science the internal assessment marks will provide a
summation of each student’s achievements in Grades 9 and 10. The
assessment tasks used to determine the internal assessment mark must
comply with the types of tasks and assessment criteria specified in each
of the units.

All schools must meet the requirements for internal assessment as
specified in the Grade 10 Assessment, Examination and Certification
Handbook.
External examination
The external examination provides a measure of student achievement of
those aspects of the broad learning outcomes that can be reliably
measured in an examination setting. Questions for the external
examination in Social Science will be developed using the outcomes,
knowledge and skills in the core units.
Recording
All schools must meet the requirements for maintaining and submitting
student records as specified in the Grade 10 Assessment, Examination
and Certification Handbook.
Certification
Candidates will be awarded a School Certificate only if they meet all
requirements for internal and external assessment. Eligibility rules for
the award of the School certificate are specified in Grade 10
Assessment, Examination and Certification Handbook.


48

Document Outline

  • þÿ


   © 2006, USP Library. Copyright & Disclaimer                         Contact Us
last updated Sat Sep 01, 2012