REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA

MINISTRY OF GENERAL EDUCATION

SOCIAL STUDIES GRADE 8 SCHEMES
TERM ONE
WK TOPIC SUB-TOPIC SPECIFIC OUTCOMES METHODS REFERENCE
1 Man the Social Learning about the  State reasons for learning about  Question and Progress in Social
Being past. the past Answer Studies pupils book8
 Reasons for learning  Discuss various methods used to
about the past learn about the past  Book study I. Chilimunda
 Methods of learning  Describe measurement of time in A success in junior
about the past history  test history
 End of topic test
Origins and Scientific and Biblical  Describe different versions of the  Book study Progress in Social
2 Development of  Proconsul origins of man Studies pupils book8
Man Africanus,  Discuss the stages in the  Group presentation
 Kenyapithecus, development of man
 Australopithecus,  Question and G. Haantobolo
 Zinjanthropus, answer Junior sec history
Homo-Habilis
 Document study Ntalasha
History for Zambia
 exercise
Periods: Stone Ages  Describe the periods through  Question and Progress in Social
(Early, Middle, Late) which man has lived Answer Studies pupils book8
3 and Iron Ages (Early  State the different tools that were
and Late) used in each period  Book study I. Chilimunda
A success in junior
 Note taking history
4 
Basic map Maps and Kalaluka. I
Reading diagrams  Explain the difference between a Map reading
Techniques map and diagram. techniques
 State characteristics of a map

Basic map Map Reading and  Describe the location of a place or  Map study Kalaluka. I
Reading interpretation. point on a map Map reading
5 Techniques  Four and six figure  Group work techniques
grid reference system  Identify directions of places on a
 Latitude and longitude map  Tr exposition
-  Compass and bearing  Measure distances on a map
 Bearing and distance
 Interpret relief features
6
 Identify drainage patterns

 Identify cultural features

6 MID TERM TESTS MID TERM TESTS
Pre-colonial Origins and movements  Describe the origins and  Group work Progress in Social
7 Societies in of the Bantu Speaking movements of the Bantu speaking Studies pupils book8
– Zambia Peoples. people  Map study
8  Identify the historical locations of
different Bantu ethnic groups in  Question and Ntalasha
Zambia answer History for Zambia
 Describe the spread of farming
and iron-working into Zambia I. Chilimunda
 Discuss the importance of A success in junior
technology of the Bantu speaking history
people
 Topical test

9 Decentralised o Ila  Identify the major decentralised  Text book study G. Haantobolo
societies o Lenje societies in Zambia Junior sec history
o Tonga  Map study
 Discuss the main features Progress in Social
Studies pupils book8
of decentralised societies  Question and
answer
 Group presentation
Centralised  Bemba, Luyi,  Identify the major centralised  Text book study Ntalasha
10 societies Lunda, Chewa, societies in Zambia History for Zambia
Ngoni  Map study
-  Discuss the main features of I. Chilimunda
11 centralised societies  Question and A success in junior
answer history
 Explain the importance of culture
to any society  Group presentation G. Haantobolo
Junior sec history
 Note taking

12 - REVISIONS AND END OF TERM

13 TESTS
 Republic of Zambia
Ministry of General Education
SOCIAL STUDIES GRADE 8 SCHEMES
TERM TWO
WK TOPIC SUB-TOPIC SPECIFIC OUTCOMES METHODS REFERENCE
1 Man and Physical and cultural  Describe Relief levels of Zambia.  Text book study Certificate,Physical and
the features of Zambia Land below 900m, between 900m Human Geography
Environ and 1200m and land above 1200m  Map study
ment  Relief above sea level -Geography in
 Rivers and lakes  Locate the major drainage features of diagrams
 Roads Zambia.
 Railways Lakes, rivers and swamps  Question and -Social studies 8
 Settlements  State the cultural features of Zambia answer
 plantations Road and railway network,
settlements, plantations, bridges  Group presentation

2 Man and Weather and climate of  Describe weather and climate Certificate,Physical and
- the Zambia  Group work Human Geography
3 Environ  Elements of weather:  State the elements of weather and
- ment temperature, rainfall, their measurement  Map study
4 sunshine
 Question and
 Explain factors influencing weather answer
FACTORS INFLUENCING  Group work -Geography in
CLIMATE  Describe the climate of Zambia. diagrams
 Map study
 Altitude -Social studies 8
 Latitude  Analyse effects of climate on human  Question and
 Relief activities. answer
 Distance from the sea
 Analyse the impact of human
 Group presentations
 Temperature and rainfall activities on climate
 characteristics
 Global warming and
climate change

5 Man and FORESTS AND THEIR
the PRODUCTS
Environ
ment  Importance of forests
 Indigenous and exotic tree
species
 Uses: food, energy (wood
fuel) construction (timber)
medication (herbs)
 State the importance of forests.  Text book study Social studies 8
 Identify type of tree species.
 Identify forest products and their  Map study -High School
uses. Geography
 Describe the uses of forests.  Question and
 Explain the importance of answer -Resource materials
conserving and preserving forests
 State the causes of deforestation.  Group presentation
 Explain the effects of deforestation on
the environment.  Note taking

6 Man and FARMING  Describe the different traditional  Text book study Certificate ,Physical
the types of shifting cultivation and Human Geography
Environ -traditional farming system.  Question and
ment  Lozi  State the main crops grown under answer -Geography in
 Bemba traditional shifting cultivation diagrams
 Mambwe  Group presentation
 Explain the effects of shifting -Social studies 8
cultivation on the environment

MID TERM TESTS MID TERM TESTS

7 -COMMERCIAL
- FARMINING.
8  Identify the major cash crops grown
-Estate/ plantation
Agriculture
-commercial livestock
farming
 Describe commercial farming  Text book study Bwalya and Naidoo
Junior Geo
 Map study
under commercial farming Certificate ,Physical
 Question and and Human Geography
 State characteristics of answer
estate/plantation agriculture -Geography in
 Group presentation diagrams
 State factors influencing commercial
livestock farming  Exercises -Social studies 8

 Explain the impact of commercial

farming on the environment
 FISHING
 Importance
9  Major fisheries
 Fish farms
TYPES OF FISH
 Breams, babble, tiger-fish,
bottle-fish, Nile perch
(buka-buka), fresh water
sardines (kapenta)
 Gill and seine nets, baskets,
fishing lines, motor boats,
dugout canoes, spears
FISH PROCESSING
METHODS
 Smoking, sun drying,
salting, freezing, caning
 Marketing, storage,
transportation, over fishing,
bad fishing methods
 Restocking, annual fish
bans, fish farming
 Topical test
TOURISM
 National parks, water falls,
11 historical sites, traditional
ceremonies, water sports
 Advantages: foreign
exchange earnings, cultural
12 exchange, infrastructural
development, employment
recreation
 Disadvantages:
13
 Define fishing Certificate, Physical
 Group work and Human Geography
 State the importance of fishing
 Map study -Social studies 8
 Locate the major fisheries in Zambia
 Locate the major fisheries in Zambia  Question and Certificate, Physical
answer and Human Geography
 Identify the types of fish found in  Text book study
Zambia. -Geography in
diagrams
 Describe fishing methods used in
Zambia -Social studies 8
 Describe fish processing methods.
 State the challenges facing the fishing
industry
 Suggest possible solutions to
challenges facing the fishing industry
 Identify the major tourist attractions  Text book study Certificate, Physical
in Zambia.  Map study and Human Geography
 Question and answer
 State the advantages and  Group presentation -Geography in
disadvantages of tourism.  Note taking diagrams
 Text book study
 Explain the importance of conserving -Social studies 8
 Question and
tourism resources
answer
 Group presentation
REVISION AND END OF TERM
TESTS
 Republic of Zambia
Ministry of General Education
SOCIAL STUDIES GRADE 8 SCHEMES
TERM THREE
WK TOPIC SUB-TOPIC SPECIFIC OUTCOMES METHODS REFERENCE
1 Political INTRODUCTION TO  Explain the meaning of civic  Text book study Social Studies Pupils
- Developme CIVIC EDUCATION education  Question and Book 8
2 nt in  Outline Zambia’s path to answer
Zambia ZAMBIA’S PATH TO independence  Group presentation
INDEPENDENCE CIVIC pupils book

3 SYMBOLS OF  Describe symbols of national Social Studies Pupils

NATIONAL IDENTITY identity  Question and Book 8
- FLAG  Explain the value of national answer
- NATIONAL ANTHEM symbols  Group presentation CIVIC pupils book
- COAT OF ARMS 8
4 SYSTEMS OF  Identify systems of governance  Group research Social Studies Pupils
GOVERNANCE  Question and Book 8
 Systems of governance  Describe the characteristics of answer
 Characteristics of good good and bad governance  Discussion CIVIC pupils book
and bad governance. 8
 Institutions that promote  Identify institutions that promote
good governance good governance

5 CONSTITUTION  State the types of constitutions  Discussion Social Studies Pupils

 Types of constitutions: Book 8
Written and unwritten  Explain the importance of a  Question and
constitutions Constitution answer
 Importance of a  Group research CIVIC pupils book
constitution
 Other resource
materials
6 CITIZENSHIP  Qualifications of Zambian  group research Social Studies Pupils
citizenship  tr exposition Book 8
 Qualifications for
Zambian citizenship: by  Describe qualities of a good  Question and
birth or naturalisation citizen answer CIVIC pupils book 9
 Qualities of a good
citizen:  Group presentation Other resource
loyalty, honesty, respect  State rights, duties materials
for human rights etc
 Rights: health, life,  and responsibilities of a Zambian
voting, etc citizen
 Duties: pay tax, obey
laws, report crime, etc
Responsibilities: personal,
family and community.
6 MID TERM TESTS  MID TERM TESTS 
7 POLITICAL  Describe a political party
ORGANISATION  Text book study Social Studies Pupils
 Group of people Book 8
coming together to  Describe a one party political
promote a political system.  Question and
agenda answer CIVIC pupils book
 Existence of one  Describe multi-partism
political party  Group presentation Other resource
 Existence of more than materials
one political party  State the advantages and
 Advantages: wider disadvantages of multi-partism.
freedom of political
choice
Disadvantages: interparty
conflicts, costly to manage
etc
8 ELECTIONS  Explain types of elections
 Types of elections:  Question and Social Studies Pupils
Presidential, answer Book 8
parliamentary, local
government (general or  Describe the electoral process  Discussion
 tripartite), by-elections CIVIC pupils book 9
 Electoral procedure:  Tr exposition
delimitation,  Describe the role of the Electoral Other resource
registration, etc Commission of Zambia(ECZ)  Group work materials
 Election management  Identify electoral malpractices
 Electoral
malpractices:
rigging, cheating
9 CENTRAL  State organs of government  Question and Social Studies Pupils
GOVERNMENT answer Book 8
 Legislature,
 Executive,  Describe functions of government  Discussion
 Judiciary CIVIC pupils book 9
 Functions of Central  Tr exposition
Government Other resource
 Group work materials
10 LOCAL GOVT  Explain the history of local
 History of local government in Zambia  Text book study Social Studies Pupils
government from 1964 Book 8
to present  State the functions of local  Question and
 Functions of local govt government answer CIVIC pupils book
 Tr exposition
HOUSE OF CHIEFS  Identify roles of traditional rulers  Question and Social Studies Pupils
 Providing leadership in answer Book 8
the community, custody  State the composition of the House
11 of traditional values and of Chiefs  Discussion CIVIC pupils book
land, etc
 Three representatives  Explain the role of the House of  Tr exposition
from each province Chiefs
Advising government on  Group work
traditional issues
12-13 REVISION AND END OF YEAR
TESTS
 Republic of Zambia
Ministry of General Education
SOCIAL STUDIES GRADE 9 SCHEMES
TERM ONE
WK TOPIC SUB-TOPIC SPECIFIC OUTCOMES METHODS REFERENCE
Development of Slavery and  Explain the motives behind  Text book study Progress in Social
Foreign Slave Trade ‘slavery’ and the ‘slave trade’ up Studies pupils
1 Influence on to the sixteenth century  Map study book8
- Zambia  Social, economic and
2 political causes  Assess the effects of slave trade on  Question and G. Haantobolo
-  West Africa, Central Africa, the African societies answer Junior sec history
3 East Africa, North Africa
 Europe, Africa and America  Locate the main Slave Trade  Group presentation
routes in Africa
William Wilberforce and  Note taking
Abraham Lincoln  Describe the Triangular Slave
Trade

 Identify people who were

instrumental in the abolition of
slavery and slave trade

4
- ARRIVAL OF EUROPEANS  Assess the aims of European  Text book study Progress in Social
5 imperialism and the scramble for Studies pupils
 Social, political, economic, Africa  Map study book8
religious, humanitarian aims
of imperialism  Describe the exploration of Africa  Question and G. Haantobolo
 West Africa, Southern, by Europeans answer Junior sec history
 Central Africa, East Africa,
North Africa  Group presentation
 Social, political, economic,  State the results of European
religious imperialism in Central Africa  Note taking

EUROPEAN OCCUPATION  Identify the agents instrumental in  Text book study Progress in Social
6 OF CENTRAL AFRICA European occupation of Central Studies pupils
- Africa book8
 Missionaries, hunters and  Question and
7 concession seekers answer
 John Cecil Rhodes and the I. Chilimunda
British South Africa  Group presentation A success in junior
Company history

MID TERM TESTS

African Reaction to Foreign  Describe African resistance to  Question and

Rule in Central Africa. colonialism answer Progress in Social
8 Studies pupils
-  Primary resistance  Describe the struggle for  Discussion book8
9  Secondary resistance independence in Central Africa
 Southern Rhodesia  Tr exposition G. Haantobolo
(Zimbabwe), Northern Junior sec history
Rhodesia (Zambia) and  Group work
Nyasaland (Malawi) I. Chilimunda
A success in junior
history

CENTRAL AFRICAN  Describe the Central African  Text book study Progress in Social
10 FEDERATION Federation of 1953 to 1963 Studies pupils
book8
 Social, political, economic  Discuss reasons for and against the  Question and
Central African Federation answer G. Haantobolo
 Successes and failures of the Junior sec history
Federation  Assess the successes and failures  Group presentation
of the Federation

Development MINING INDUSTRY  State the major minerals mined in  Group research
11 in Zambia Zambia  Tr exposition Certificate,
  Copper, cobalt, coal, Physical and
precious stones, nickel  Describe methods of mining  Question and Human Geography
 Open and shaft mining answer
 Employment, foreign  Discuss the contribution of mining -Geography for
exchange, economic to the socio-economic  Group presentation Zambia: Bwalya
development, social development and Naidoo
amenities, infrastructural
development  Discuss the impact of mining on -Social studies 9
 Pollution, land degradation, the environment
displacement of humans and
animals
12 – REVISION AND END OF TERM 
13 TESTS

Republic of Zambia
Ministry of General Education
SOCIAL STUDIES GRADE 9 SCHEMES
TERM TWO
WK TOPIC SUB-TOPIC SPECIFIC OUTCOMES METHODS REFERENCE
1. Developm MANUFACTURING AND FOOD  Describe factors influencing the  Question and
- ent in PROCESSING INDUSTRIES location of industries answer Certificate, Physical
2. Zambia and Human
  Raw materials, power, transport,  State the types of Geography
labour, markets manufacturing industries  Discussion
 Steel making, textiles, leather, -Geography for
furniture, brick/block making,  Identify the types of food  Tr exposition Zambia: Bwalya and
pottery processing industries Naidoo
 Milling, caning, confectionery,  Group work
beverage  Explain challenges faced by -Social studies 9
 Cost of raw materials, capital, manufacturing and processing
competition, transport, storage, industries
market, technology

3 POWER AND ENERGY  Describe renewable and non-  Text book study Certificate, Physical
GENERATING INDUSTRIES. renewable sources of power and and Human
energy Geography
 Renewable: hydro-electricity,  Question and
solar power, wind, geo-thermal answer -Geography for
 Non-renewable: petroleum, coal, Zambia: Bwalya and
nuclear, wood fuel, bio-gas  Identify institutions dealing in  Group presentation Naidoo
 Copper belt Power Company, power and energy.
Zambia Electricity Supply -Social studies 9
Corporation, Energy Regulation
Board

4 SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT:  Explain population concepts

POPULATION.  Question and Certificate, Physical
answer and Human
-  Population density, census,  Describe the population Geography
growth rate, birth rate, mortality distribution of Zambia  Discussion
4 rate -Geography for
 High density, medium density  Tr exposition Zambia: Bwalya and
and low density areas  State factors leading to rapid Naidoo
 Early marriages, high fertility population growth in Zambia  Group work
rate, poverty -Social studies 9
 Rural-urban, urban-urban, urban
–rural and rural-rural  Explain population migration in
Food security, low productivity, Zambia
high death rate
  State the impact of HIV and
AIDS on the population
6 Economic MONEY  Explain the concept money  Question and Social Studies Pupils
Developm answer Book 9
ent  Coins or bank notes used as  Describe the Characteristics of
medium of exchange money  Discussion
 Characteristics of money: CIVIC pupils book 9
portability, durability  Outline the function of money  Tr exposition
Other resource
 Functions of money: medium of  Explain the law of supply and  Group work materials
exchange, measure of value demand.
 Law of law of supply and
demand:  Describe money laundering
Inflation and deflation activities.
 Laundering: fraud, deceit, false
pretences

7 BUDGET  Explain budget  group research

 tr exposition Social Studies Pupils
 Definition  Describe types of budgets Book 9
 Types of budgets: Individual,  Question and
family and national  Identify features of a budget answer
 Income and expenditure CIVIC pupils book 9
 Explain sources of National  Group presentation
 Taxes, donor funding etc Budget Other resource
materials
 Control measure, transparency,  Explain the importance of a
equity, accountability etc budget
Tax evasion, corruption, theft, fraud Identify the challenges
etc associated with budget
implementation
8 TRADE  Describe local and international  Question and Social Studies Pupils
 Local trade trade answer Book 9
 International trade  Identify the challenges
 Chain of distribution associated with local and  Discussion CIVIC pupils book 9
 Challenges international trade
 Identify crimes associated with  Tr exposition Other resource
trade materials
 Group work
9 CONFLICT RESOLUTION  Describe conflict  Question and answer Social Studies Pupils
- Book 9
10  Definition  Identify levels of conflict in  Discussion
 Causes society
 Effects of conflict  Tr exposition CIVIC pupils book 9
 Explain the causes of conflict.
 Group work Other resource
 Discuss effects of conflict materials

 Identify solutions to conflicts

11 REVISION AND MOCK
- EXAMINATIONS
12
-
13

Republic of Zambia
Ministry of General Education
SOCIAL STUDIES GRADE 9 SCHEMES
TERM THREE
WK TOPIC SUB-TOPIC SPECIFIC OUTCOMES METHODS REFERENCE
 Regional REGIONAL ORGANISATIONS
1 and
- Internatio  SADC, COMESA, NEPAD,
2 nal African Union
- Organisati  Different structure of regional
3 ons organisation
 Standardisation, quality assurance,
accreditation and metrology of
products and services (SQAM)
 Ease of trade through SQAM for
products and services
International Organisations
• The Commonwealth and
United Nations
• Membership and structure of
International Organisations
• Functions of International
Organisations
Specialised Agencies of United
Nations Organisation
 Identify regional organisations  group research Social Studies Pupils
to which Zambia is a member  Tr exposition Book 9
 Outline structure of regional  Question and answer
organisations CIVIC pupils book 9
 Group presentation
 Explain functions of regional Other resource
organisations materials
 Discuss benefits of Zambia’s
membership to regional
organisations
 Identify international
organisations
 Describe membership and
structure of these organisations.
 Discuss the functions of these
organisations

 Map study
Basic map Reading Techniques  Explain the difference between Kalaluka. I
4 REVISION Maps and Diagrams a map and diagram.  Group work Map reading
 State characteristics of a map techniques

Map Reading and interpretation.  Describe the location of a place  Map study Kalaluka. I
5  Four and six figure grid or point on a map Map reading
reference system  Group work techniques
 Latitude and longitude  Identify directions of places on
 Compass and bearing a map
 Bearing and distance  Tr exposition
 Measure distances on a map

 Interpret relief features

  Identify drainage patterns

 Identify cultural features

6 REVISION How to answer Examination questions  Discussions Past Paper/ marking
 Q and A keys