As we continue witnessing the transformation of the Kenyan education system, there are some issues that may be of great concern to all stakeholders. The most some of us can do is to reflect on the concerns and probably just share our views. The rest is beyond our control.
Of great interest is that the funding strategy of university education, which has been under Higher Education Loans Board – HELB, since the days of the first Kenyan Government has been transformed. Wheras everybody who qualifies to join university has all over the years been free to apply for funding, based on uniform terms, the situation has now changed drastically.
It is now a matter of various levels of funding depending on individualized circumstances. Family financial abilities will now be assessed before the funding levels can be determined. What is not clear is whether the funding will be reviewed anually or is a one-off application. What happens when family financial situations change out of job-loss, economic constraints and such other circumstances?
Further, it has been noticed that numerous university education applicants are being influenced by the fees payable, to pursue the various cheaper courses, rather than what they qualify for. Somebody qualifying for a medical degree course for example may decide to pursue a Bachelor of Commerce Course, on the basis of course fees that may be more affordable. Should these strategies not lead to university education becoming a preserve for the rich?
More still,, will the aspirations of the Competency Based Curriculum – CBC that aim to align students with their natural orientations not be jeopardized, under such circumstances? Worryingly, could this not be a great avenue of unknowingly reversing the key objectives of nurturing talents through the CBC? Why allow wastage of natural talent, on the basis of considering financial abilities?
Another great concern is that the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms recommended that grade 7-9 be premised in primary schools, but as Junior Secondary schools. That means an additional class is required in all primary schools for accommodation of the grade 9 students.
We now have just one year and 3 months for students to transit to grade 9. Many educational stakeholders are left wondering how well the Junior schools will be prepared towards accommodating this new class. That becomes even more complicated , especially in light of ongoing challenges being experienced in the management of schools.
Mind you, we all witnessed a crash program of building a CBC class in secondary schools, last year, which was never utilized. More still, senior schools are supposed to have only 3 classes comprising of Grade 10, 11 and 12, based on the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms.
As such, one class will again be in total disuse. Had the idea of continuous improvement of the education system been embraced, as recommend by some stakeholders, the need for new structures and wastage of others would never have occured.
Nevertheless, we have no choice but to continue observing the direction of the education system. How the desired aspirations of the transformation of the education system will be achieved continue being of concern to most stakeholders, isn’t it?
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
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