Tag Archives: New Curriculum

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Implementation of the new CBC education system- Here is the role played by the Church

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The Ministry of Education acknowledges the role played by the church and religious institutions in articulating reforms, reviews and stewarding of the new Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) in the country.

Speaking during the 64th general assembly of the National Council for Churches of Kenya (NCCK) which was held in Limuru from August 23 to 25, Education Principal Secretary Prof  Fatuma Chege who is in charge of CBC and its reforms said that the church has continued to play a critical role in promoting social values and morals in curriculum reviews.

“The Ministry of Education acknowledges that the church has continued to play a pivotal role in establishing and managing of schools and training institutions across the country by building, financing and recruiting teachers for curriculum implementation,” said PS.

Related; Competency Based Curriculum, CBC, training notes (Grade 3 to 5 Curriculum Designs)

The PS added that the partnership between the state and church is clearly demonstrated in the provision of suitable legal and policy environment for nurturing ethics and moral values among youth, as the church role is well articulated in the Basic Education Act (2013) Number 14.

The religious organisations have been more proactive in initiating value-based learning through non-formal programmes, in order to equip learners with values for character formation and holistic development despite the depicted individualism in society.

“A sessional paper of 2019 on education in Kenya provides for the mentoring, molding and nurturing of national values and their integration into the curriculum,” PS highlighted.

With the recent cases of indiscipline, prevalence of drug abuse in schools, burning of schools, radicalisation, teenage pregnancies and general learner disobedience to school rules calls for the need to enhance, regulate and provide chaplaincy services in basic education institutions, reiterated PS.

“The process of developing a chaplaincy guideline is ongoing as the Ministry of Education has partnered with NCCK to ensure it’s executed,” She added.

She affirmed this by outlining 8 core values of the CBC, which are love, peace, unity, respect, responsibility, respect, patriotism, integrity and social justice.

The Ministry of Education aims to give religious organizations an opportunity to develop learners’ knowledge and practice their faith in order to grow as mature, morally upright and responsible members of the society.

“Religious institutions, including NCCK will continue to be involved in the formulation, implementation and review of the curriculum,” said the PS.

Latest Education News

Roll out of the new curriculum to be done next year- CS Amina re-affirms (Full Details)

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Education cabinet secretary, Dr amina Mohammed, has now stated that roll out of the new curriculum will be done in 2019 and not in 2020 as earlier announced. Get the full details in the presser below;

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

REPUBLIC OF KENYA

PRESS RELEASE 22nd December, 2018

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATIONAL ROLL-OUT OF THE COMPETENCY-BASED CURRICULUM

At its meeting to deliberate on the next steps in the planned national roll-out of the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) on Saturday 15th December, 2018, the National Steering Committee resolved that:

a. the CBC National pilot be extended for one more year to allow alignment in implementation, particularly, intensive in-service teacher training;

b. the National roll-out take place in January, 2020;

c. the National Curriculum Policy Framework be published in January, 2019;

d. the Sessional Paper on Reforming Education and Training in Kenya be tabled before Parliament in February, 2019;

e. the National Education Sector Strategic Plan for the period 2018-2022 be launched in February 2019;

f. develop an assessment framework with clearly spelt out competencies at every level;

g. a Secretariat be established within the Ministry to coordinate the priorities, activities, communication and implementation infrastructure to support the CBC;

h. further consultations and dialogue between key stakeholders be sustained.

After the steering committee meeting, the Ministry of Education has continued with in-depth deliberations and consultations with other relevant government agencies and stakeholders in the education sector. Specifically, the relevant government agencies and stakeholders have

assured to support the Ministry of Education in its bid to deliver a credible CBC roll out programme, including aligning resources towards this exercise.

Today, further consultations have been held with stakeholders, including faith-based organisations, Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD), Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC), Kenya Private Schools Association (KPSA), Kenya Publishers Association (KPA), Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KSSHA), Kenya Primary School Heads Association (KEPSHA) and the National Parents Association.

In light of these developments and assurances, the Ministry of Education wishes to announce that it will commence a methodical and carefully organised phased roll-out of the CBC effective 1st January, 2019 in Pre-primary I and II and Grades 1, 2 and 3.

Early in the New Year, the Ministry of Education will issue a detailed roll-out plan and timetable for the other grades that will lead to the last cohort of students sitting for their Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) in the year 2023 and the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) in the year 2027.

Core stakeholders will put in place structures to support a national rollout and map out clear systems and processes to assure the following prerequisites:

a. immediate and continued intensive in-service training of teachers;

b. completion, approval and presentation of the statutory instruments;

c. strengthening of the Quality Assurance Framework;

d. review of the Basic Education Act;

e. development of an assessment framework for PP1 to Grade 3 by March 2019;

f. preparation of curriculum designs for Grade 4 by March 2019;

g. inauguration of a National Secretariat to steer the CBC; and

h. production and dissemination of requisite learning and instruction materials to support the CBC.

The Ministry will also facilitate continued public participation on education reforms in the country. The reforms within the education sector are part of a wider government determination to ensure a bold, transformative agenda for a better Kenya.

Amb (Dr.) Amina Mohamed, EGH, CAV

CABINET SECRETARY

Read also:

New Curriculum to be implemented next year, 2019, and not in 2020- CS Amina Says
Latest Education News

Education Ministry issues stern warning to schools on purchase and usage of textbooks, revision materials

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The Education Ministry has warned schools on the procurement and utilization of textbooks and other revision materials. In the latest directive, the Ministry warns schools to only purchase approved textbooks as listed in the Orange books. This comes after an outcry from parents who claim to have been forced to buy a vulgar book for their class six kids. The book titled Blood Ties, by storymoja life series, and authored by Zimkhitha Mlamzeli caused frenzy in Social media platforms for containing vulgar language.

But, now the Ministry has told schools to use only approved instructional materials.
“It has been noted with concern that some schools are procuring unapproved books that contain unsuitable contents,” warns the Ministry through a circular titled ‘Re: Use of approved books in schools’ and dated 19th September, 2019 by Elyas Abdi; the Ministry’s Director General.

“Please note that any Principal/Head teacher who fails to implement this policy will be in contravention of Section 27 of the KICD Act, 2013,” adds Abdi.

Section 27 (1) of the KICD Act, 2013 states;
‘Except as provided for under this Act, no person or institution shall develop or implement any curriculum or curriculum materials in respect to any education institution to which this Act applies, without approval and accreditation in accordance with the provisions of this Act or any other written law’.

Those found culpable, of contravention of this section, shall be liable on conviction for imprisonment for a period not exceeding three years or to a fine not exceeding one million shillings, or both.

Approved Books

The Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) Vets all instructional materials intended for use in all Basic Educational Institutions implementing the national curriculum. After vetting, the Ministry publishes the vetted and approved books in two volumes (Orange book);
1). Approved list of text books and other instructional materials for secondary schools.
2). Approved list of school text books and other instructional material for Pre-Primary, Primary Schools and Teacher Training Colleges.

“The latest edition of the above is the 16th Edition, January 2017. An addendum to the Orange book for Competence Based Curriculum for Pre-Primary one, Pre-Primary two and Grade one to three was published in 2019 and is available on the KICD website”, adds Abdi.

On its part, the KICD said the book in question had not been approved as should be the norm. “This book is not approved by KICD. It is not listed in the Orange book that contains a list of all books that schools should use for teaching and learning,” said KICD in a tweet.

KICD has at the same time warned parents and teachers to be on high alert not to purchase unapproved educational materials. “Not all books in the market are approved. That is why teachers and parents are expected to rely on the Orange book to buy right books. We have previously responded to worrying content whose origin was books from foreign countries. This book is not approved,” warns the KICD.

In a rejoinder, the Publisher of ‘Blood Ties’ admits that the book that has been circulating for the wrong reasons is not approved by KICD.

The Publisher of ‘Blood Ties’ admits that the book that has been circulating for the wrong reasons is not approved by KICD.

The Education Ministry does direct supply of text books to schools. Statistics from the ministry reveal that in the past one year, the government has supplied 32 million books for learners in secondary schools covering six core subjects; Mathematics, English, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Kiswahili.

Related Story;

KICD now says pages of misleading content, being circulated, are from international books
Latest Education News

List of the Approved new, Competency Based, Curriculum (CBC) books for grade 1, 2 and 3

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Here are the books approved by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development, KICD, books for grade one, two and three:

List of Approved Competency Based Curriculum, CBC, books for Grade one:

  • CRE Activities by the Kenya Literature Bureau, KLB.
  • Nyota ya Kiswahili by the Jomo Kenyatta Foundation, JKF
  • Hygiene and Nutrition by the Jomo Kenyatta Foundation, JKF
  • Islamic Religious Education, IRE, by the Kenya Literature Bureau, KLB.
  • Mathematical Activities Spotlight Publishers

List of Approved Competency Based Curriculum, CBC, books for Grade two:

  • New Primary English Learners’ book by the Jomo Kenyatta Foundation, JKF
  • Christian Religious Education, CRE, Activities by the Kenya Literature Bureau, KLB.
  • Nyota ya Kiswahili by the Jomo Kenyatta Foundation, JKF
  • Primary Mathematics by the Jomo Kenyatta Foundation, JKF
  • Mathematical Activities by the Kenya Literature Bureau, KLB.
  • Environmental Activities by the Kenya Literature Bureau, KLB.
  • Hygiene and Nutrition by the Kenya Literature Bureau, KLB

List of Approved Competency Based Curriculum, CBC, books for Grade three:

  • Christian Religious Education, CRE, Activities by the Kenya Literature Bureau, KLB.
  • Mathematical Activities by the Kenya Literature Bureau, KLB.
  • Environmental Activities by the Kenya Literature Bureau, KLB.
  • Hygiene and Nutrition by the Kenya Literature Bureau, KLB
  • English Literacy by the Kenya Literature Bureau, KLB
  • Islamic Religious Activities by the Kenya Literature Bureau, KLB
  • Mazoezi ya Kiswahili by the Kenya Literature Bureau, KLB

Set books

 

 

Breaking News

All Primary Schools to roll out CBC in Upper Primary come January, 2020; Education Ministry directs

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The Ministry of Education has released guidelines on roll out of Competency Based Curriculum, CBC, for Upper Primary (Grade 4, 5 and 6). According to the latest circular from the Ministry, all primary schools; both public and private, will roll out CBC in upper primary in January 2020 in Grade 4, followed by the roll out in Grade 5 in 2021 and Grade 6 in 2022. The Ministry has further given guidelines on time allocation, lesson distribution and learning areas.

More details to follow……

Here are links to the most important news portals:

Breaking News

Education cabinet Secretary to give an update on implementation of the new Curriculum

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Education Cabinet Secretary, Amb Amina Mohammed, will address senior Education Ministry Field Officers including County Directors of Education and Quality Assurance Officers on implementation of the new curriculum, today, Wednesday 2nd January, 2019. The meeting will occur at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development, KICD, at 2pm.

Latest Education News

Learners to be trained in personal and psychological skills

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Schools will now be expected to offer training to learners in personal skills and psychological skills. This is after President Uhuru Kenyatta signed into law the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (Amendment) Bill of 2019.

The new law mandates KICD to incorporate personal safety and psychosocial skills training in the curricula for basic and tertiary institutions.

The overall objective of the Act is to enhance the country’s disaster preparedness especially in learning institutions. The new training will enable schools and learners to deal with such disasters as school fire outbreaks and the recent covid-19 pandemic; among others.

Speaker of the National Assembly Justin Muturi, Leader of Majority in the National Assembly Aden Duale and Treasury CS Ukur Yattani attended the signing ceremony on Thursday.

Also present were Attorney General Paul Kihara, Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua, State House Deputy Chief of Staff Njee Muturi and National Assembly Clerk Michael Sialai.

The new law will now enable the KICD to redesign the curriculum so as to incorporate the new training areas. Learners’ safety has been a major concern for a long time now following various fire incidents in the past where some of them sadly lost lives.

These changes come at a time when the government is rolling out the new competency based curriculum, CBC.

FOR A COMPLETE GUIDE TO ALL SCHOOLS IN KENYA CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW;

Here are links to the most important news portals:

Latest Education News

Uncertainty engulfs roll out of new the curriculum as governors demand for funds

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Plans to implement the new competency based curriculum, next year, have been thwarted after the Council of Governors said funds have not been allocated by the National government. Via a press statement, the Council of Governors say they have not been fully involved in the implementation of the new curriculum in lower grades; considering education in lower levels is a preserve of the County Governments.

“Over the past 2 weeks, the council of Governors has keenly followed the decisions and announcements made by the Ministry of Education in regards to the National roll out of the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC),” says Governor Nanok, who is also the Chairman to the Council of Governors.

The Turkana County Governor, Hon Joseph Nanok, says Pre-Primary Education is a preserve of the County Governments and thus the counties must be fully involved in the roll out of the new curriculum.

“Pre-Primary Education is a County Government function as enshrined in the Constitution. It is critical to understand to this point, the National Government has not provided the cost of implementing the CBC. County Governments are not aware of the unit cost of implementing CBC per child and have no information on estimated costs of each mandatory component of the CBC,” notes Nanok.

While adding that the County Governments fully support the roll out of the CBC, Governor Nanok has asked the Education Ministry to involve them in the planning and roll out. “To this end, the Council of Governors urges the Ministry of Education to engage the County Governments to ensure that all decisions on the implementation of CBC in Pre-Primary level are reached through mutual consultations and agreements. Further, such decisions must consider and document possible fiscal and other related needs and risks,” adds Nanok.

Last week, Education Cabinet Secretary (Dr. Amina Mohammed) reversed her earlier decision to post pone the implementation of the new curriculum in 2019. Amina announced that implementation of the new curriculum will be done in January, 2019. With schools set for reopening next week for the new year, stake holders will be keeping tabs on developments at the Education Ministry in relation to the planned roll out of the new curriculum.