THE CURRICULUM

Students in Grades 8 and 9 follow Zambia’s Ministry of Education syllabus and write the Junior Secondary School Leaving Exams at the end of Grade 9. Grade 10 is a preparatory year and introduction to the Grade 11-12 University of Cambridge syllabus which provides students with an International General Certificate of Secondary Education.

Banani School places emphasis on the sciences and agricultural education and offers a good selection of humanities courses within an enriched English language environment. IGCSE courses presently offered are: Mathematics, Additional Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English, Literature, French, History, Geography, and Agriculture. The curriculum is supplemented by courses leading to the Cambridge Information Technology Skills Award.

Other school-developed courses include World Religions and Character Development. Both of these courses are aimed at providing students with an appreciation of all of the world’s major religions and diverse cultures and in teaching universal morals and values common to all people. Art classes are mandatory for junior grades and general arts activities are offered to all students as part of Banani's extra-curricular programmes, which also include sports and service.

Textbooks are provided by the school on a loan basis and collected at each mid-term and term break. Students are charged for loss or unreasonable damage to texts. Students must supply their own exercise books, math sets, and other stationery supplies.

ASSESSMENT

Internal school assessment is continuous throughout the year in the form of homework, projects, quizzes, and tests. Report cards are distributed at the end of each term. Students who are experiencing difficulties in some area may also receive a mid-term report.

Grade 9 - The Grade 9 leaving exams are written in November and results are usually released in February. Students take eight subjects. The percentages of the best six subjects are added together to give a numerical score. Each subject is also given a rating from 1 to 4 with F being a fail.

1 = 75 - 100 %
2 = 60 - 74 %
3 = 50 - 59 %
4 = 40 - 49 %
F = 0 - 39 %

A student must score a 4 or above in at least six subjects to be granted a Grade 9 pass.

Grade 12 - The Grade 12 IGCSE exams are also written in November, with provisional results released at the end of January. Students take nine subjects, with Physics or Additional Math offered as a tenth option.

The IGCSE examination is suitable for virtually the whole ability range. It has an 8-point scale of grades: A*, A, B, C, D, E, F, and G. Grade A* is awarded for the highest level of achievement; Grade G indicates the minimum satisfactory performance.

To take account of different abilities, there is a choice between Core and Extended curriculum papers in most subjects. This system allows teachers to decide on the most appropriate level of papers for their students. The Core curriculum in each subject is within the ability range of a large majority of students. It provides a full overview of the subject and is targeted at students expected to achieve grades D to G. The Extended curriculum, which comprises the Core curriculum and the Supplement, has been designed for the more academically able and leads naturally into higher education or professional training. It is targeted at those expected to achieve grades A to C. Students need not be entered for the same level of curriculum in all subjects.

At present, the school does not offer SAT, PSAT, or TOEFL exams, but they are offered in Lusaka and can be arranged for students who wish to continue their education in other countries.


PARENT - TEACHER CONFERENCES

Regular parent-teacher conferences are conducted in May and September after the first and second reporting periods. Parents can arrange for a special parent-teacher conference by appointment with the Principal or Vice-principal at any time during the term.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

The granting of a Banani Certificate of Graduation is conditional upon satisfactory performance in class, correct conduct, and the completion of the IGCSE examinations. Seven subjects are required with a predicted passing grade of D or above in at least four of them. A Certificate of Completion will be granted to students who do not qualify for the Graduation Certificate, provided that they have attended classes for the full year. The International General Certificate of Secondary Education is issued by the Cambridge Examinations Syndicate.