A Comparative Analysis of the Effectiveness of Mathematics Curriculum Taught at GCE (O-Level) and SSC Systems of Schools in Karachi

This study compares the mathematics curricula of General Certificate of Education (GCE: O-Level) and Secondary School Certificate (SSC: Matriculation) courses of studies. The purpose of this comparison was to trace out the factors accountable for the shortcomings in instructional objectives, contents, approaches, methods of teaching and patterns of assessment in the local (SSC) system of education. The population of study was all teachers, students and textbooks of SSC and GCE systems in Pakistan. The overall size of the sample was of 300 teachers, 200 students and 20 subject experts. The data were collected through questionnaires, interviews and document/ record analysis. The quantitative data were analyzed by using t-test. A comparative content analysis was made for the textbooks and question papers of both SSC and GCE examination boards. The study concluded that the implementation of GCE (O-Level) mathematics curriculum is relatively more effective than SSC curriculum although no significant difference was been found in the methods of teaching in two systems. The major factor for the difference was the structure of examination in both systems. The other key factor traced out as major contributor in this difference of effectiveness was the approaches of teachers and students. The study recommended a radical change in the internal school examinations as well as the pattern of assessment of Board of Secondary Education Karachi (BSEK). It has also been strongly recommended to convert the approaches of teachers and students of SSC from accumulation of content and procedural knowledge towards the construction (problem solving) and application of knowledge.