Guidelines on timetabling and quotidian routine in Senior Schools (Grades 10-12) was the nub of my 21st treatise on Competency-Based Education (CBE). Development of timetables is important in schools. For it fosters a productive learning environment where both learners and educators interact; hence achieve the desired learning outcomes.
Actually, a carefully-crafted timetable ensures that all learning areas are covered comprehensively. Likewise, it promotes the impressive implementation of both balanced academic and co-curricular activities. Just to laymanise it, Guidelines for Implementation of Senior School Education (2025) spells out a raft of rules to be adhered to when developing timetables; that optimise utilisation of time, teaching and learning experiences, as well as supporting the achievement of the overall educational goals in institution.
Timetable Development Committee
Foremost, members of Timetabling Committee in Senior Schools include: (a) Deputy Head of Institution (DHoI) or Deputy Principal (Academics), (b) Senior Masters or Mistresses in charge of Career Pathways, (c) Heads of Subjects, and (d) Class Teachers of Grades 10, 11 and 12. The onus is on the committee to convene planning meetings at the beginning of every term for purposes of development or review of school timetable.
Approval and Ratification of Timetables
Secondly, after the development of the timetable, it should be presented to the Head of Institution (HoI) or Principal for approval and ratification. Then, the approved timetable should be displayed in all administrative offices, classes, laboratories and notice boards. Every teacher is to extract the respective timetable for wise use in implementing the curriculum.
Allocation of Lessons on the Timetable
Thirdly, in the implementation of CBE in Senior Schools, there are 8 lessons per day. Derived from the core, elective and support subjects. Physical Education (PE) should be 3 lessons per week. Then, ICT should be 2 lessons per week. Whereas, Learner Personal or Group Study and Pastoral Programme for Institution (PPI) should be 1 lesson per week. Cumulatively, there should be a total number of 40 lessons per week. Each lesson should take 40 minutes.
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Reporting and Departure Time
Reporting time for Grades 10, 11 and 12 learners in Senior Schools is at 8:00 am. The 8:00 am to 8:20 should be utilised for roll call, assembly, house or class meetings where applicable. Lessons should begin at 8:20 am and end at 3:30 pm.
Balancing Subjects on the Timetable
Subjects plotted on the timetable should be derived from the KICD approved curriculum designs. When plotting lessons, the committee should ensure that the subjects with similar skills, knowledge or concepts, don’t follow one another on the timetable. This is also to pique learners’ interests, reduce monotony in skill, concept and knowledge-acquisition. Meaning, plotting of lessons must observe balance in distribution of subjects for morning and afternoon hours across the week.
All core subjects – English, Kiswahili or Kenya Sign Language (KSL), Core Mathematics or Essential Mathematics and Community Service Learning (CSL) – should be plotted as a single lesson. Support subjects such as Physical Education (PE) and ICT should be plotted as single subjects. Then, there is only 1 double lesson for Arts and Sports Science and STEM subjects. Arts and Sports Science and Physical Education (PE) lessons should be plotted before a break so as to allow learners have ample time to prepare for the next lesson.
Brief Health Breaks
Health breaks should feature after 2 lessons. The first break takes 10 minutes. Whereas second break takes 30 minutes. Lunch break should take 1 hour.
Non-Formal Programmes
Non-Formal Programmes (NFPs) should be plotted on the timetable after the last lesson at 3:20 pm. NFPs support formal learning, and are generally focused on extending learning in practical and meaningful contexts. NFPs include: Pastoral Programmes of Instruction (PPIs), school assemblies, clubs and societies and movements, games and sports, Music and Drama Festivals, Science Fairs, Exchange Programmes, Guidance and Counselling, Community Service Learning (CSL) activities and projects.
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Quotidian Routine in Day Schools
The daily routine should be provided for as stipulated in the Basic Education Regulations, 2015. Part 8 Section 84. The official operating hours in for all public and private institutions happen to be Monday to Friday. No day institution of Basic Education and Training should instruct learners to report to school earlier than 7:15 am. Class hours should be as from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm; that is from Monday to Friday. Co-curricular Activities (CCAs) should be as from 3:30 pm to 4:45 pm; that is from Monday to Friday.
Quotidian Routine in Boarding Schools
All Basic Education institutions with boarding facilities should operate 24/7-hour basis. Class hours be as from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm; that is from Monday to Friday. Co-curricular Activities (CCAs) should be as from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm; that is from Monday to Friday. Prep time should be from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm; that is from Monday to Friday. Bedtime should be 9:30 pm to 6:00 am. Supervised Routine Activities (SRAs) should be as from 6:00 am to 8:00 am. Then, no boarding institution should send away an unaccompanied learner later than 9:00 am. The latest reporting time for learners in boarding institutions should be 5:00 pm.
Annotations on Timetable and Routine
In all schools, the national flag should be raised during the school assemblies on Mondays and Fridays. In geographical locations that experience extreme temperatures: the starting point and end of school routine should be adjusted so long as there is no interference with the requisite contact hours of learners. Pastoral Programmes of Institutions (PPIs) should be facilitated by a responsible member of a recognised and legally-registered faith. Parental Empowerment and Engagement (PEE) is of essence. Therefore, learning institutions should create opportunities for information sharing and involvement of parents/guardians in the impressive implementation of the curriculum.
By Victor Ochieng’
Victor Ochieng’ rolls out talks and training services in schools. vochieng.90@gmail.com. 0704420232
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