The purposes of a chemistry curriculum
Summary of contents
While our overall envisaged purposes for curricula at all levels are similar, there are differences in focus depending on whether a curriculum is followed by all learners in a jurisdiction or whether learners have made an active choice (usually at a later stage of education) to follow a curriculum.
We recommend that chemistry is included as part of the core, compulsory curriculum for all learners up to the age of 16. The purposes of chemistry curriculum at this level are to:
- provide young people with skills and understanding that will enable them to become scientifically literate citizens
- provide adequate preparation for further study and/or careers in the chemical sciences for students who choose that option