By Hilton Mwabili
Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) Chief Executive Officer Prof Charles Ong’ondo has assured all relevant stakeholders that curriculum designs and learning materials for Junior Secondary Schools(JSSs) will be ready by the time schools reopen in January 2023.
Speaking during the 18th Kenya Primary Schools Head teachers Association (KEPSHA) conference in Mombasa, Prof Ong’ondo said the curriculum designs are ready and KICD will distribute them by January 23, 2023 in all learning institutions.
The CEO was responding to pleas by KEPSHA that all the textbooks and curriculum designs should be distributed in time before transition of children in the CBC.
He revealed that teachers have helped in curriculum designs to enable production of right materials.
“Keenly verify the materials supplied in schools before accepting them to ensure learners get the right KICD materials,” he advised teachers, adding that the books will be distributed in the ratio of one book per student.
Since the roll out of CBC, school heads have been at loggerheads with parents who have raised concern over some of the materials, like chicken, needed for practical lessons.
“We are happy you are exposing the learners to practical things and we should continue doing that. Otherwise, how will they know where the chicken comes from,”Ong’ondo stated.
He noted that KICD fully supports the recommendation from the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms (PWPER) that primary schools should host junior secondary schools.
“The Grade 6 learners are still emotionally attached to their teachers and parents hence it’s better if they still study in primary schools. We support the recommendations because we know the teachers have the capacity to nurture these learners at this stage,” he said.
KEPSHA chair Johnson Nzioka said the association will give the ministry the necessary support in implementing CBC.
“We are ready to support the government in this endeavor, because the CBC reforms are significant for the education of this country.” He concluded.
