Learners explore the past of their locality and the wider world. They find out some of the key events and people who have shaped our history and the world today. They learn to recognize the impact of the past on the present. They learn to analyse and explain the reasons for, and results of, the historical events, situations and changes over the periods studied.

The learners use a range of primary sources where possible to carry out their own investigations and evaluate interpretations made by others. The subject caters for critical thinking skills so as to help learners look beyond the headlines.

It also trains the mind and teaches individuals how to think and process information and provides a basis for research and inquiry into the past so as to learn from it and highlights the importance of politics in development.

The thrust of the syllabuses is experiential and towards deeper understanding. The focus of History and Political Education is on the development of understanding through sifting evidence, enquiry and rational thought.

This syllabus provides learners with a wide range of contexts in which to develop this understanding, and these contexts are designed to engage the interest of the learner and to provide opportunities to build life-related knowledge, experience and skills.

The generic skills have been integrated throughout the curriculum and can only be acquired through active approaches.