Quite a nunber of issues are currently working positively for the education system. The exam results for 2021 have already been released. The tension associated with the same in schools, has thus been toned down. The only issue of concern is that auditing performance of schools in the last three years is now on course. That will be quite some challenge for administrators, whose schools have been performing below the expected standards.
Another positive is that the coronavirus pandemic is no longer a threat in the country, unless the situation changes. Schools will therefore operate normally without threats of the pandemic. This means that if time is available, students will now be involved in extra-curricular activities, which formidably reduce stress associated with academic pressures. Shall we witness reduced indiscipline in schools? The answer is most probably yes.
Another plus that has worked well for the school system is that threats on the Competency Based Curriculum – CBC have slowed down. The chief architect of the CBC case against the education authorities has shied away, if media reports are anything to go by. This is based on assertions that her profile has been continually dented by the government, thus the reasons for giving in.
Of great concern however is; did this parent who happens to be a Kenyan advocate have any justification in fighting the implementation of the CBC? Maybe yes, maybe no. Why this response?
Many times, I have been questioned by parents, teachers, Lawyers and many others about my view on the CBC. More often than not, I have vehemently supported the government’s position or perspectives about the CBC. This has not been based on assumptions that the approach is perfect. Rather, the train has left the station, and there is no room for comeback. What does this mean?
As I wrote the KICD approved concept titled “Career Dynamics in the 21st Century,” I was influenced by the disempowerment challenges that I had noticed in the employment sector, where I was and still am a workplace trainer. My research experience enabled me to associate the shortfalls on empowerment in the school system, with the eventual performance challenges in the workplace. Somehow, I realized that application of the lessons learnt in Total Quality Management, while undergoing university education, could easily sort out the shortcomings in the education system.
Actually, application of the concept of CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT, is all that was required. But first, I decided to personally test this strategy at home and then in the school system, as revealed through my writings. Ideally, this strategy could work extremely well and seamlessly transform the Kenyan Education System.
In my view, transforming the 8-4-4 education system could have been achieved through alignment with the paradigms of the 21st Century. ROTE leaning could easily have been swapt with application of knowledge. How? The methodology dissemination of knowledge that could enable students to understand how whatever lessons in school, apply in real life, could have been critical. Alongside, students could be encouraged to keenly apply whatever abilities each is good at, in real life situations.
Perhaps, that is why group work will now replace lectures during classroom situations. In other words, there would have been no immediate infrustructural development and huge budgets in support of the transformation. It would just have been a matter of continually improving the 8-4-4 education system, in line with the paradigms of the 21st Century.
Just for interest sake, Nanyuki High School in Laikipia County embraced a whole range of technical subjects in 2018, as part of the school’s ongoing empowerment strategy. The same will seamlessly accommodate the STEM empowerment pathway in the CBC. Perhaps, that explains why the school has attracted the highest number of admission applicants in the last two years, isn’t it?
FYI
As schools continue settling down, it will be exciting to learn how those that embraced our seminars have permormed. So far, we have scantly learnt that a school in Muranga County, which engaged us for guiding the then form 2 students, while selecting subjects has still maintained a mean grade of 7.2. Why so?
“The performance was good enough for our school. Numerous schools were undergoing high levels of indiscipline that affected performance and ours was not an exception,” indicated the guidance and counselling teacher.
Incidentally, this is the school that I was to conduct a seminar on May 20th 2019, which was disrupted by a memorable accident that involved serious head and leg injuries. The same led to a weeklong hospitalization. Upon recovery however, the seminar still took place on 27th September 2019, while still being supported by crutches. The experience led to resumption of our unique 21st Century empowerment strategy, which is still ongoing.
Rgds
Mwangi Wanjumbi (MKIM)
Personal Empowerment Coach
Seasoned Speaker/Trainer/Consultant on Strategy, Performance, Change Management and Leadership.
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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