Integration of Indigenous Knowledge in Namibia’s grade 8 physical science curriculum: A case study on physical and chemical changes

ABSTRACT This paper reports on findings from a qualitative case study that examined the integration of Indigenous Knowledge (IK) in Namibia's Grade 8 physical science curriculum, focusing specifically on the topic of chemical and physical changes. The importance of this study lies in the emerging knowledge that is helpful in the incorporation of IK. The integration of IK enriches science education by making it more relevant and accessible, fostering a deeper connection between learners' cultural experiences and scientific knowledge. The research aimed to discover what lessons Grade 8 physical science teachers can learn about physical changes, chemical changes, and IK integration through co-analyzing curriculum documents. Qualitative data were generated through document analysis, including the Namibian National Curriculum for Basic Education, the Grade 8 Physical Science syllabus, the National Subject Policy Guide, and two learners' textbooks. To analyze these documents, we used the Cultural Discontinuity (CD) framework and the Border Crossing Framework. The findings revealed that the curriculum statement supports and requires science teachers to integrate IK to contextualize scientific concepts. However, explicit guidance and examples are sparse. On the other hand, the textbook analysis revealed that the recommended textbook lacks examples that are relevant to IK integration. Conversely, learners’ textbooks authored by Namibians seem to contain rich examples of chemical and physical changes relevant to the learners' lived experiences. The findings underscore the need to consider local context and IK when selecting educational resources to ensure effective learning. The study recommends revising the NCBE curriculum to include explicit guidelines for integrating IK.   Keywords: physical science, physical and chemical changes, indigenous knowledge, topic-specific pedagogical content knowledge