One of the key attributes of the CBC is aligning the education system with the paradigms of the 21st Century. Particularly, application of knowledge is inevitable, as has been happening, so far up-to grade 6. The Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms – PWPER seems to have recognized this when making its initial recommendations, as was expected exactly 2 months, since they commenced their activities.
Ideally, this working party is supposed to last 6 months. Obviously, it means that they still got more recommendations to make, before expiry of their term. How then have they performed so far? If the decision made by the president on Junior Secondary Schools was attributable to the findings of the working party, they should appropriately be credited. That is despite the disappointment of stakeholders, especially those associated with the previous administration.
Nevertheless, the immediate decision on the direction of the education system as from January 2023, is to some of us, who are neutral stakeholders, completely justifiable. Why so? Grade 7 class will now be based in primary schools and branded as Upper Primary School, intermediate school or whatever will be agreed. It doesn’t matter that some have already branded it as Junior Secondary School, premised in primary schools.
Still, Grade 8 will be premised in Primary School in the year 2024. That aligns quite well with my personal recommendation ( check https://youtu.be/5vIR69v50Ss), which was shared in this forum, sometimes in July 2022. The same recommendations were also developed into You Tube content that was widely circulated, to the extent of reaching Jogoo House MOE offices, as well as the PWPER, through one familiar member.
The only issue that may be of great concern however, is Grade 9 being premised in Primary Schools. Reports indicate that this would lead to Kenyan Students experiencing the longest time in primary school, compared to the global situation. Mind you, when our education curriculum became localized after independence, primary school education lasted 7 years. Since introduction of the 8-4-4 system, primary school education has lasted 8 years. Why new standard of 9 years?
Luckily, discussions on education reforms, are still ongoing and supposed to last 6 months. There is still time to consider the impact of having students, last in primary school up-to grade 9. Logistics alone can’t justify that decision, as numerous other stakeholders may attest. In any case, why abandon newly constructed infrusture in secondary schools, only to bring out others in primary schools.
Meanwhile, the immediate challenges noted earlier and of great concerns to most stakeholders, have been sorted out through retaining Grade 7 and 8 Students in Primary Schools. Why so? First, there will be no double intake of Form 1 and Grade 7 students in secondary schools.
This could have been a major challenge and was largely unexpected by most institutional managers. In fact, discussions on this matter constantly led me to continually assuring institutional managers that there will be no double intake in January, as if I was part of the reforms team. The good news is that strategy experts easily distinguish between workable and unworkable ideas.
Second, the problem of teachers handling the grade 7 and 8 Classes, will now be sorted out gradually. Their location is no longer relevant. Third, the issue of initiation of the boy child that was of great concern to parents has for now, largely been sorted out. Fourth, the infrastructure of primary school classes will now be safely utilized rather than being wasted.
Fifth, there will be no need for new classrooms in secondary schools. Those recently constructed could provide space for laboratories and also reduce congestion associated with 100 percent transition. Sixth, the young grade 6 and 7 students will now have adequate time to mature under the care of their parents.
Most importantly, the philosophy of the Competency Based Curriculum has not been interfered with. As such, what should now be of concern is continued improvement of the transformation and fine-tuning of the situation of grade 9 students.
JFY
One of the recently retired and seniormost educational authorities in this forum, for a long while, has acquired new responsibilities in the current government. He is now a Principal Secretary in one of the ministries.
Had he been posted to the ministry of education, some things would definitely have taken a different turn, based on our personalized interactions. Nevertheless, our education strategy is critical and applicable in every national sector. As such, let us all congratulate and wish well, a member of this forum, as he takes up his new responsibilities, shouldn’t we?
Rgds
Mwangi Wanjumbi (MKIM)
Personal Empowerment Coach,
Speaker/Trainer/Consultant on Strategy, Performance, Change Management and Leadership.
Seasoned Trainer of Trainers,
Competency Based Curriculum-CBC Architect,
Author of 1. KICD approved Career Dynamics in the 21st Century, 2. Living Beyond Survival:No More Tiptoeing in Life
- 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
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