The Ministry of Education (MoE) has moved decisively to streamline the management of co-curricular activities across the country, unveiling comprehensive guidelines aimed at enhancing accountability, strengthening governance structures, and protecting parents from the growing burden of unofficial levies.
The directive, issued under the stewardship of Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok, reflects a broader shift within Kenya’s education sector towards a more holistic model of learning in which academic achievement is balanced with talent development, innovation, creativity, leadership, and physical wellness.
Under the Competency-Based Education (CBE) curriculum, co-curricular activities are no longer viewed as optional extras but as an integral part of nurturing well-rounded learners equipped for the demands of the modern world.
One of the most notable aspects of the new guidelines is the government’s declaration that parents should not be required to finance co-curricular activities.
The Ministry has emphasized that funding for these programmes is already catered for through government allocations and approved partnerships, making any form of additional levy on parents unnecessary and unacceptable.
The policy is expected to bring relief to thousands of families who have often found themselves contributing towards sporting competitions, music festivals, drama events, and other educational engagements.
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To eliminate disparities, the Ministry has introduced a transparent financial management structure anchored on accountability and prudent use of public resources.
At the heart of the reforms is the establishment of Co-Curricular Activities Committees at the sub-county, county, and regional levels.
These committees will be responsible for planning, budgeting, coordination, monitoring, fundraising through approved partnerships, and overall supervision of activities within their respective jurisdictions.
Each committee will be chaired by the relevant Director of Education and will include representatives from the Teachers Service Commission, Quality Assurance and Standards offices, school heads’ associations, private school associations, special needs education stakeholders, and activity-specific chairpersons.
The Ministry has also introduced strict financial regulations aimed at safeguarding public funds and preventing misuse.
Committees must be fully aware of the resources allocated to them and actively participate in planning and budgeting processes. Expenditure must strictly correspond to approved allocations and authorized sponsorships.
The Ministry has further outlawed the accumulation of pending bills associated with co-curricular activities, directing education administrators to avoid committing resources that have not been budgeted for.
In another significant development, Junior School has now been formally integrated into the national co-curricular framework as a distinct segment.
While Junior School activities will continue to be managed under existing primary school structures because of their shared physical locations, the recognition marks a major milestone in the implementation of Competency-Based Education.
The Science and Engineering Fair has also received a major boost through the inclusion of Junior School learners, allowing younger learners to participate in innovation-focused competitions alongside senior categories.
The government has identified multiple funding streams, including the dedicated co-curricular budget vote within the Ministry of Education, the Free Primary Education programme, the Free Day Secondary Education programme, Junior School capitation allocations, the Sports, Arts and Social Development Fund, and support from development partners.
The guidelines also clearly outline responsibilities at the sub-county, county, regional, and national levels, covering transport, meals, facilitation of teachers and officials, venue management, security, first aid services, accommodation, and overall event coordination.
Education experts have welcomed the guidelines, noting that they provide long-awaited clarity in an area that has often generated confusion and financial disputes.
More importantly, the reforms reaffirm the government’s commitment to ensuring that every learner has an equal opportunity to participate in co-curricular activities regardless of geographical location or economic background.
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As Kenya continues to embrace Competency-Based Education, the strengthened management of co-curricular programmes could become one of the defining factors in shaping a generation of learners who excel not only in classrooms but also in sports arenas, innovation hubs, cultural stages, and leadership spaces.
By Hillary Muhalya
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