JAMB Hausa Syllabus
Every section, topic and candidate objective in the official JAMB Hausa outline — 3 sections, 23 topics and 72 objectives.
- Sections
- 3sections
- Topics
- 23topics
- Objectives
- 72objectives
- Category
- Languagescategory
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Syllabus sections
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1Section A: Harshe (Language)
8 topics · 21 objectives
1Ƙa’idojin Rubutu (Orthography)
1 content item · 1 objective
Content
Alphabetization, spelling, rules of word merger and division, punctuation and paragraphing in line with standard Hausa.
Objective
Recognize the basic Hausa orthographical rules; apply the Hausa orthographical rules; identify linguistic errors such as grammatical errors, wrong choice of words and wrong spelling.
Opens the CBT engine with Hausa past questions and answers.
2Auna Fahimta (Comprehension)
1 content item · 1 objective
Content
Contextual questions from short unseen passages of about 200 words.
Objective
Read written Hausa texts; comprehend Hausa text in a given context; interpret various meanings and functions of words in a given text; acquire sufficient vocabulary; recognize central issues in a given text; draw conclusions based on available evidence in a given text.
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3Tsarin Rubutun Insha’i (Composition Techniques)
1 content item · 1 objective
Content
Argumentative, descriptive, dialogue, expository, narrative and letter writing.
Objective
Acquire the knowledge and techniques of composition writing in Hausa; recognize the different segments of composition in Hausa; recognize the different types of Hausa composition.
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4Fassara (Translation)
1 content item · 1 objective
Content
Types of translation (Ire-iren fassara); rules of translation (Ƙa’idojin fassara); problems of translation (Matsalolin fassara); techniques of translation (Dabarun fassara).
Objective
Translate proverbial and idiomatic expressions and new words from English to Hausa; recognize the different types of translation; understand the basic techniques of translating proverbial and idiomatic expressions and new words into Hausa; identify the problems of translation into Hausa.
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5Tsarin Sauti (Phonology)
6 content items · 6 objectives
Content
Consonants: production and classification in terms of phonation, place and manner of articulation.
Objective
Analyse the process of sound production and combination of sounds to form meaningful words in Hausa; distinguish between the phonetic attributes of sounds.
Content
Vowels: production and classification in terms of position of tongue and lips; monophthongs and diphthongs.
Objective
Appraise the importance of vowels in determining meaning; distinguish between the phonetic attributes of sounds.
Content
Tone, including high, low and falling tones.
Objective
Analyse the process of sound production and combination of sounds to form meaningful words in Hausa; distinguish between the phonetic attributes of sounds.
Content
Syllable structure and types, including open and closed syllables, light and heavy syllables, and word categories such as monosyllabic and disyllabic words.
Objective
Recognize the number of syllables and their types in a word.
Content
Vowel length, including long and short vowels.
Objective
Appraise the importance of vowels in determining meaning; distinguish between the phonetic attributes of sounds.
Content
Phonological processes, including assimilatory processes such as palatalization, labialization and vowel harmony, and non-assimilatory processes such as insertion and deletion.
Objective
Analyse phonological processes in Hausa.
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6Ƙirar Kalma (Morphology)
4 content items · 4 objectives
Content
Roots and stems of Hausa words.
Objective
Explain the roots and stems of Hausa words.
Content
Affixation, including prefixes, infixes and suffixes, and their derivational and inflectional functions.
Objective
Explain the inflectional process in Hausa word formation; explain the derivational process of word formation in Hausa; differentiate between the two morphological processes.
Content
Gender and number inflections.
Objective
Explain the inflectional process in Hausa word formation; differentiate between inflectional and derivational morphological processes.
Content
Derivation of nouns and adjectives from verbs, and adjectives and verbs from nouns.
Objective
Explain the derivational process of word formation in Hausa; differentiate between the two morphological processes.
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7Ginin Jumla (Syntax)
5 content items · 5 objectives
Content
Word classes, including nouns, pronouns, verbs, adverbs, adjectives, prepositions, conjunctions, interjections and ideophones.
Objective
Analyse the processes governing word combination to form phrases, clauses and sentences in Hausa; detect linguistic errors in grammar; construct grammatical sentences for effective communication.
Content
Grammatical categories, including tense and aspect (general and relative past, general and relative continuous, first and second future, habitual); mood (subjunctive and negative); gender (masculine, feminine and neuter); and number (singular and plural).
Objective
Use appropriate tenses in spoken and written Hausa; use appropriate gender and number in spoken and written Hausa; detect linguistic errors in grammar.
Content
Sentence structure, including verbal sentences; nominal phrase plus verbal phrase and their components; non-verbal sentences consisting of nominal phrase plus stabilizer, nominal phrase plus complement plus stabilizer, and nominal phrases plus continuous frame (yana/yake) with or without da plus nominal phrase.
Objective
Analyse the processes governing word combination to form phrases, clauses and sentences in Hausa; recognize ideas or thoughts in written form; construct grammatical sentences for effective communication; distinguish between nominal and verbal phrases.
Content
Sentence types, including simple, compound and complex sentences.
Objective
Distinguish between types of sentence structure; distinguish between types of sentences; construct grammatical sentences for effective communication.
Content
Clauses, including relative and subjunctive clauses, and their functions as main and subordinate clauses.
Objective
Compare types of clauses; analyse the processes governing word combination to form phrases, clauses and sentences in Hausa.
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8Ma’ana (Semantics)
2 content items · 2 objectives
Content
Lexical aspects of word meaning, including ambiguity, synonyms and antonyms.
Objective
Analyse the mechanisms of generating meanings in Hausa; build vocabulary; recognize the various meanings and functions of sentences in communication.
Content
Figures of speech and specialized meanings of words and phrases, including idioms and proverbs.
Objective
Analyse the mechanisms of generating meanings in Hausa; use words and sentences suitable for a particular purpose; construct meaningful sentences for effective communication.
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2Section B: Al’adu (Culture)
8 topics · 39 objectives
1Rayuwar Hausawa (Hausa Customs)
4 content items · 4 objectives
Content
Birth (haihuwa): conception, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, customs during the first week after birth, bathing, ɓanti, weaning, circumcision and adolescence.
Objective
Explain the customs associated with conception through adolescence; explain the influence of modern times on childbirth and related customs.
Content
Marriage (aure): types of marriage, courtship, engagement, marriage solemnization, wedding celebrations, married life, divorce and widowhood.
Objective
Explain customs from courtship through widowhood; explain the influence of modern times on marriage.
Content
Death (mutuwa): announcement of death, washing of the deceased, funeral prayers, burial, mourning, charity, widowhood and inheritance.
Objective
Explain customs and practices associated with death, mourning and inheritance; explain the influence of modern times on death-related customs.
Content
The influence of modern times on Hausa customs and ways of life.
Objective
Identify and explain the different forms of modern influence on Hausa customs.
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3Sana’o’in Gargajiya (Traditional Occupations)
6 content items · 6 objectives
Content
Types of traditional occupations, including farming, blacksmithing, tanning, trading, traditional barbering, carving, hunting, leatherwork, weaving, hairdressing, dyeing, butchery and fafar ƙorai, among others.
Objective
Identify traditional occupations; identify the characteristics and practices of people engaged in these occupations; distinguish occupations associated with men and women.
Content
Characteristics of traditional occupations, including methods of inheritance, tools and equipment, stages of production, and their importance.
Objective
Identify the methods by which occupations are inherited; describe the tools and equipment used; explain the importance of traditional occupations.
Content
Products and benefits of traditional occupations.
Objective
Identify products made through traditional occupations; describe their uses and benefits.
Content
Traditional occupational titles and ranks.
Objective
Identify traditional occupational titles and explain their significance.
Content
Occupations associated with gender, including domestic service and wage labour, hairdressing and barbering.
Objective
Distinguish occupations associated with men and women; describe traditional occupational practices.
Content
The influence of modern times on traditional occupations.
Objective
Identify and explain the influence of modern times on traditional occupations.
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4Kayayyakin Buƙatun Rayuwa (Material Culture)
3 content items · 3 objectives
Content
Household necessities, including clothing and household utensils.
Objective
Identify Hausa material culture and household necessities; explain their uses and importance.
Content
Other material necessities, including buildings and food preparation.
Objective
Identify material necessities used by the Hausa and explain their uses.
Content
The influence of modern times on material culture and everyday necessities.
Objective
Identify and explain the influence of modern times on Hausa material culture.
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5Bukukuwa da Wasanni (Hausa Festivities and Recreational Activities)
6 content items · 6 objectives
Content
Religious festivities, including Eid celebrations, takutaha (sallar gani), cikaciki and saukar karatu.
Objective
Identify Hausa festivities and recreational activities; explain their importance and how they are conducted; describe ways to preserve them; explain the influence of modern times on festivities.
Content
Traditional festivities, including kalankuwa, buɗar dawa and the pumpkin-eating festival.
Objective
Identify traditional festivities; explain their importance and how they are conducted; describe ways to preserve them.
Content
Occupational festivities and activities, including fishing festivals, dambe, kokawa, hunting games, blacksmiths’ games and hawan ƙaho.
Objective
Identify occupational festivities and recreational activities; explain their importance, methods of performance and preservation.
Content
Entertainment activities, including horse riding (sukuwa).
Objective
Identify recreational activities and explain their importance and methods of performance.
Content
Children’s games, including shalle, kulli-kurciya, a-sharuwan-tsuntsaye, gaɗa and carafke.
Objective
Identify children’s games; explain how they are played and their importance; describe ways to preserve them.
Content
The influence of modern times on Hausa festivities and recreational activities.
Objective
Explain the influence of modern times on festivities and games.
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6Camfe-camfe da Bauta (Traditional Beliefs and Worship)
3 content items · 3 objectives
Content
Traditional beliefs and superstitions, including kangida, camfi, kambun baka and maita.
Objective
Identify different traditional beliefs and the methods through which they are practised; explain their perceived benefits and disadvantages; explain the influence of modern times on them.
Content
Traditional worship, including bori and tsafi.
Objective
Identify traditional forms of worship and their practices; explain their perceived benefits and disadvantages.
Content
The influence of modern times on traditional beliefs and worship.
Objective
Explain the influence of modern times on traditional beliefs and worship.
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8Magungunan Gargajiya (Traditional Medicine)
6 content items · 6 objectives
Content
Types of traditional medicine, including traditional preparations such as sassaƙe-sassaƙe, sawyoyi, na gari and na ruwa.
Objective
Classify the different types of traditional medicine.
Content
Religious or spiritual remedies, including amulets (layu), written charms (rubutu), ɗibbu and divination (duba).
Objective
Classify traditional and religious forms of medicine and remedies.
Content
Methods of administering traditional medicine, including drinking, rubbing, surace, fumigation or perfuming, inhaling, chewing, sucking, tying, sticking and hanging.
Objective
Describe the different methods of using traditional medicine.
Content
Dosage and measurement in the use of traditional medicine.
Objective
Explain the procedures for measuring and administering traditional medicine.
Content
Functions of traditional medicine, including prevention and treatment.
Objective
Explain the purposes and uses of traditional medicine.
Content
The influence of modern times on traditional medicine.
Objective
Explain the influence of modern times on traditional medicine.
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3Section C: Adabi (Literature)
7 topics · 12 objectives
1Adabin Baka (Oral Literature): Zuben Baka (Narratives)
1 content item · 1 objective
Content
Oral narratives, including tatsuniya, almara, hikaya, ƙissa, historical narratives and other forms of oral storytelling.
Objective
Identify and distinguish the types of oral narratives; use appropriate vocabulary when discussing a story.
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2Adabin Baka (Oral Literature): Maganganun Azanci (Folk Sayings)
1 content item · 1 objective
Content
Folk sayings and verbal art, including take, kirari, habaici, zambo, karin magana, kacici-kacici, salon magana and adon magana.
Objective
Identify the forms of folk sayings and explain how they are used; memorize and use appropriate expressions associated with folk sayings.
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3Adabin Baka (Oral Literature): Waƙoƙi na Baka (Oral Songs)
4 content items · 4 objectives
Content
Types of oral songs, including court songs, communal songs, men's songs, love songs and other categories.
Objective
Identify the different types of oral songs; identify the people who perform the different types of songs.
Content
The theme, style, form, structure, performer, musical instruments and subject of oral songs.
Objective
Distinguish the form, theme, style, structure and instruments used in oral songs; identify the performers and subjects of the songs.
Content
Work songs, including songs for grinding, pounding, threshing and hawking.
Objective
Identify the types of work songs and the people who perform them.
Content
Children’s songs for boys and girls, wedding songs and dandali songs.
Objective
Identify and distinguish the forms of children’s songs and other specified oral songs.
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4Adabin Baka (Oral Literature): Wasannin Kwaikwayo na Gargajiya (Traditional Drama)
3 content items · 3 objectives
Content
Traditional children's drama, including langa, wasan ’yartsana, tashe, wasan gauta, dokin kara and other forms.
Objective
Identify the forms of traditional drama; explain how traditional dramatic performances are conducted; explain their importance; distinguish children's drama from adult drama.
Content
Methods of performing traditional children's drama and its importance.
Objective
Explain the methods of conducting traditional drama and identify its importance.
Content
Traditional adult drama, including ’yan kama, kalankuwa, hoto, wowwo and tashe.
Objective
Identify the forms of traditional adult drama; explain how they are performed and their importance; distinguish adult drama from children's drama.
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5Rubutaccen Adabi (Written Literature): Zube (Prose)
1 content item · 1 objective
Content
Prescribed prose text: Maraya by I. A. Mahe.
Objective
Analyse the form, structure, theme, style and characters in the prescribed prose text; understand and observe Hausa writing conventions; understand word and sentence meanings to comprehend the story; identify important messages in the story and draw conclusions about it.
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6Rubutaccen Adabi (Written Literature): Waƙa (Poetry)
1 content item · 1 objective
Content
Prescribed poetry text: Waƙoƙin Wayar Da Kai Don Manazarta Hausa Na Ɗaya by A. Anwar.
Objective
Understand and analyse the theme, style, form and structure of the prescribed poem; observe writing conventions, particularly those of poetry; interpret word and sentence meanings; relate the use of words and sentences to the message of the poem; identify important messages and draw conclusions about the poem.
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7Rubutaccen Adabi (Written Literature): Wasan Kwaikwayo (Drama)
1 content item · 1 objective
Content
Prescribed drama text: Malam Zalimu by A. H. Gidan Dabino.
Objective
Analyse the setting, theme, style, characters, form and structure of the prescribed play; understand the importance of writing conventions in conveying meaning; understand word meanings to comprehend the play; identify important messages in the play and draw conclusions about them.
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