The Degree of Focus of The Science Curriculum for the First Intermediate Grade on National, Health, Environmental And Economic Values in Light of the Education Policy in The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and a Suggested Scenario for a Mechanism to Be Strengthe

Abstract

The study aimed to reveal the extent of the first intermediate grade science curriculum focus on the national values, health, environmental, economic values, in the light of the education policy in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in addition to present a proposed vision to strengthen it in the science curriculum for the first intermediate grade. The study was applied to the two books student and the two books of activity on the first-second semesters for the academic year 1441 AH. To analyze the curriculum content, the study used a verified card prepared by the researchers and a criterion for interpreting percentages. The study reached the following results: environmental values ranked first with a concentration of (43%), i.e. with an average concentration level and with an explicit and somewhat direct focus. In the second place were the national values with a concentration rate (23%) with a low concentration level and a straightforward focus and randomly and not systematically framed. In the third place the value of the efforts of scientists in the development of science, with a very low concentration level where the concentration rate (17.8%). The curriculum focused very well on the efforts of western scholars in the development of science, and at the same time marginalized the contributions of Muslim scholars in the development of science across history. In fourth place were the health values with a concentration level (14.7%), which considered as a very low. The economic values ranked fifth with a concentration level (1.6%) with a very low concentration level. The study also revealed the absence of a clear methodological framework in the approach to enhance the values in the curriculum. The study also presented a suggested scenario for mechanisms to enhance students' acquisition of educational values in the science curriculum for the first intermediate grade. The study recommended that the science curriculum should focus on students ’acquisition of educational values through an organized, clear, deep, and comprehensive methodological framework that ensures the achievement of the curriculum enhancement of educational values. Moreover, the need to raise awareness and train teachers on teaching methods that contribute to enhancing students’ acquisition of educational values.