Grade Levels

At National School Umuwala, we provide a comprehensive curriculum tailored to meet the educational needs of pupils across various grade levels. Our structure adheres to the National Education Research and Development Council (NERDC) guidelines and the Imo State Universal Basic Education Board (IMSUBEB) standards. Below is an outline of the grade levels and the unique learning opportunities provided in each.

Early Childhood Education (Nursery)

Nursery 1 & Nursery 2
Focus on building foundational skills in literacy, numeracy, and social interaction.
Activities include storytelling, singing, drawing, and interactive play.

Subjects include:

Pre-reading and Pre-writing
Number Work
Rhymes and Poems
Creative Arts
Moral and Social Habits

Key Objective:
To prepare pupils for primary school by fostering curiosity, creativity, and confidence.

Lower Primary (Basic 1 – Basic 3)

Grade Levels:

Basic 1: Ages 6 – 7
Basic 2: Ages 7 – 8
Basic 3: Ages 8 – 9

Core Subjects:

Mathematics
English Language
Basic Science and Technology
Social Studies
Civic Education
Agricultural Science (includes practical exposure on the ecological farm)
Physical and Health Education
Creative Arts

Focus Areas:

Building strong literacy and numeracy skills.
Introduction to science, technology, and environmental awareness.
Development of social and emotional intelligence.

Upper Primary (Basic 4 – Basic 6)

Grade Levels:

Basic 4: Ages 9 – 10
Basic 5: Ages 10 – 11
Basic 6: Ages 11 – 12

Core Subjects:

Mathematics
English Language
Basic Science and
Technology
Social Studies
Civic Education
Religious Studies (Christian Religious Knowledge/Islamic Religious Knowledge)
Home Economics
Agricultural Science
Cultural and Creative
Arts
Computer Studies (ICT)

Focus Areas:

Enhancing critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership skills.
Preparing pupils for transition to secondary education.
Hands-on learning experiences such as farming on the ecological farm and participation in science projects.

Special Programs:

End-of-term exams and continuous assessments.
Participation in inter-school competitions and cultural events.
Career awareness and mentorship programs for Basic 6 pupils.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

At all grade levels, we integrate extracurricular activities and practical learning experiences to enrich the educational journey:

Young Farmers Club

Practical farming lessons on the Headmistress Mrs. Florence Onyenuma Ecological Farm.

Sports

Physical education and inter-house competitions.

Cultural Activities

Traditional dance, music, and crafts.

STEM Projects

Basic coding and hands-on science experiments.

Academic Calendar for 2025/2026

Term	Begins	Ends	Duration
First Term	Monday, 8th Sept, 2025	Friday, 12th Dec, 2025	14 weeks
Holiday	Monday, 15th Dec, 2025	Friday, 2nd Jan, 2026	3 weeks
Second Term	Monday, 5th Jan, 2026	Thursday, 2nd April, 2026	13 weeks
Holiday	Monday, 6th April, 2026	Friday, 24th April, 2026	2 weeks
Third Term	Monday, 27th April, 2026	Friday, 4th Sept, 2026	13 weeks