Analyzing curriculum materials for the inclusion of contemporary geographic issues: A focus on grade nine geography textbook in Ethiopia

  • Worknesh Engidayehu Belay Department of Social Science Education, School of Teacher Education, College of Education,Bahir Dar Universit
  • Arega Bazezew Berlie(Ph.D. Professor in Livelihood and Food Security, Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, Bahir Dar University
  • Mulugeta Yayeh Worku(Ph.D.) Associate Professorin Curriculum and Instruction, Department of TeacherEducationand Curriculum Studies, College of Education, Bahir Dar University
Keywords: Contemporary geographic issues, integration, population growth, environmental degradation, environmental pollution

Abstract

The primary objective of this study was to investigate the extent to which contemporary geographic issues are integrated into the Grade 9 textbook. To gather data, the study examined Grade 9 Geography textbook andinvolved Grade 9 students and Geography teachers as participants. Data were collected through document analysis and key informant interview. To analyze data, a combination of quantitative and qualitative analysis methods was employed. The results revealed that the textbook addressed important topics such as population growth, environmental degradation, pollution, deforestation, and soil erosion. However, these issues were primarily presented in terms of knowledge acquisition, with limited emphasis on developing students' attitudes, skills, and active engagement with these geographic challenges. Consequently, the study underscores the need for curriculum designers and textbook writers to incorporate relevant themes, objectives, and activities that promote not only knowledge but also the attitudes, skills, and engagement necessary to address contemporary geographic issues

Published
2025-09-06
How to Cite
Engidayehu Belay, W., Bazezew Berlie(Ph.D., A., & Yayeh Worku(Ph.D.), M. (2025). Analyzing curriculum materials for the inclusion of contemporary geographic issues: A focus on grade nine geography textbook in Ethiopia. Bahir Dar Journal of Education, 25(2), 122-138. https://doi.org/10.4314/10.4314/bdje.v25i1.1
Section
Articles