The last communication, indicated that in light of experiences during a recent student’s seminar, it will no longer be possible to conduct any such seminars in the presence of outsiders, especially parents. Only guidance and counselling teachers should be present in any seminars meant for students. Parents will for very good reasons be treated with a free presentation of 15 minutes in the event of meeting them in schools. Why?

There are extremely good reasons in support of this decision. Rarely are parents prepared psychologically for seminars, thus able to concentrate as expected. Futher, most parents with children in secondary schools were schooled in the 20th Century. The paradigms of the 20th Century are still guiding not only the lives of the parents, but also all students under the 8-4-4 system.

Ideally, majority are yet to embrace the 21st Century Paradigms that are now the key guidelines of the Competency Based Curriculum-CBC. Remember that our KICD approved Career Dynamics in the 21st Century guided the architecture of CBC. As such, it becomes difficult to abrumptly or at short notice introduce new ideas to people who are guided by 20th Century Paradigms. Remember that the same largely revolve around acquiring good jobs after completing school. But, are the jobs really available?

Sadly, the paradigms don’t consider whether the knowledge acquired can be applied in real life. That explains why acquiring certificates is more relevant than ability to apply the knowledge acquired.

Teachers on the other hand have their own seminar from us titled “Re-Creating the Future Today.” Some of the contents are similar to that of the seminar for students titled “Creating the Future Today.” The few similarities are mainly because the challenges in the school system largely revolve around challenged attitudes, poor learning culture, indiscipline and poor focus. Are teachers really except from these challenges?

Feedback from schools that have enjoyed our seminar for teachers over the years have constantly indicated that there has been tremendous improvement on all the FOUR mentioned challenges, with respect to teachers. That has for us been quite encouraging. Why so?

Teachers are professionals like all others. As we empower them, we must first take them through an exercise on work ethics that is described in the back page of Career Dynamics in the 21st Century. Since 2007, no professional or training participant has ever maximized on the benefits from the exercise.

Interestingly, the expectations from the exercise are articulated in Chapter 4 titled “Work Ethics,” or work principles in the 21st Century, in the publication titled Career Dynamics, in the 21st Century. I still keep wondering why teachers can’t beat other professionals, yet our publication circulates widely in schools.
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Do teachers actually read the publication, or they just assume that it is meant for Career choices? The truth is that the publication is about career issues in the 21st Century. Yes, you made your choice, but why that one? Did you actually make the right choice? Can the same enable you to unleash your full performance potential? What has changed of your career choice, in the 21st Century that you need to know? Ideally, these are some of the considerations that should be of concern to all, isn’t it?

FYI
The empowerment seminar during the June Mid-term holiday was rather interesting. It was meant for teachers of a Laikipia County mixed Secondary School. It amongst other things involved searching for the answers on questions that could constantly be in the mind of every teacher, in this country.

Interestingly, during the closing session, the principal revealed that he has been experiencing dilemmas regarding a diploma course on counselling psychology. Pursuance of the same is now not whether, but when to start classes. Any other dilemmas?

Rgds

Mwangi Wanjumbi (MKIM)
Personal Empowerment Coach
Seasoned Speaker/Consultant/Trainer on Strategy, Performance, Change Management and Leadership.
Officially UNSUNG Architect of CBC
Author of 1. KICD approved Career Dynamics in the 21st Century, 2. Living Beyond Survival:No More Tiptoeing in Life

3. The 21st Century Student:Are You Creating The Future Today? Also, Retired 5 Year Monthly Strategy Columnist (2013 – 2018)  for The SME Today Magazine Phone 254772516210