Curiosity continues influencing some of us, as the transformation of the education system progresses. Interactions in a social forum this week, with a passionate Junior Secondary School – JSS teacher, may be of interest to all education stakeholders. Notably, this is a primary school teacher, who graduated to teaching JSS students, in the same school. The school based in the outskirts of Nairobi has 300 plus students in Grade 7, thus having 3 streams.
According to Teacher Kamaa, as we can refer to him, their JSS doesn’t have any major challenges other than the formalities of learning and embracing a new content delivery methodology. How do you currently handle the students in the different subjects? I wondered.
Teacher Kamaa! We initially had serious challenges of understanding how to deliver the content. We received some of the first textbooks in March this year, whereas others were received in July 2023. As such, there was quite a struggle on learning the ropes, especially in a public school.
Me: How were you delivering without textbooks.
Teacher Kamaa! We initially relied on teacher’s guidelines before the texts for students were received. Further, we realized that delivery of content was extremely difficult in the absence of internet connectivity and computers themselves.
Me: Why so?
Teacher Kamaa: It is impossible to deliver content without practical illustrations. If you are taking students through tropical climate for example, you need to illustrate this through an LCD projector for them to understand clearly. I remember googling the equatorial rain forests of Cameroon and indicating how difficult it was to find the remains of the Kenya Airways plane, which clashed in Duala some years ago.
Me: Your school must be lucky to be digitally prepared.
Teacher Kamaa: True. Our school pleaded with parents and some were able to support us in acquiring the equipment.
Me: What happens to schools that don’t have such equipment, especially in the rural areas?
Teacher Kamaa: Digital learning in Junior Secondary school is seemingly inevitable. Very soon, students will be required to have laptops or digital phones that can access content, through the internet.
Me: What more suggestions do you think would improve learning in Junior Secondary schools?
Teacher Kamaa: Junior Secondary schools should be independent entities from primary school. The needs of students are quite advanced compared to those in Primary School.
Me: Any other?
Teacher Kamaa: Yes indeed. Teacher management should be left under the care of the Teachers Service Commission. It’s only then that desired standards of education can be achieved and maintained.
Me: What challenges could be affecting the implementation of the CBC at the JSS Level?
Teacher Kamaa: Teachers are still in the dark on summative assessment. They are still wondering how students under their care will be placed and where.
Me: Finally, how do you compare students of Standard 8, the Last 8-4-4 class with the JSS Students?
Teacher Kamaa: The former have more content, but sadly, they may not understand how it applies in real life.
Why share this experience? The transformation of the education system is a continuous process. It makes sense to understand the ongoing pros and cons in the Junior Secondary schools. This will psychologically and physically help in continually preparing the entry of CBC Students, into Senior Schools, not long from now.
FYI
Careful preparitions of our future leaders, especially during subject selection exercises, now critical, more than ever before. Why?
There should be no more chancing going forward. Empowerment pathways for all, must now be aligned with natural orientations. That has been our concern since 2015, when we published the KICD approved concept titled ” Career Dynamics in the 21st Century.” We are easily within reach for more on this. WELCOME!!!
Rgds
Mwangi Wanjumbi (MKIM)
Personal Empowerment Coach,
Speaker/Trainer 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 254722516210
More @ https://t.co/oOxkhHx8Ch
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