By Azael Masese
A new policy that will integrate guidance and counseling programmes into the country’s education curriculum is set to be released soon.
The Mentorship Policy for Early Learning and Basic Education will set in motion the vetting of individuals and organisations that offer the services in schools.
Besides, it will vet the mentorship Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials used by the actors.
Some of the materials used do not meet the threshold for relevance and quality as per the evaluation, vetting and approval criteria provided by Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) Act 2013.
Various institutions and individuals have in the recent past formed the habit of visiting schools to advise learners on all manner of subjects. These range from career, life skills, health related talks especially on HIV/Aids among others.
Consequently, it will coordinate and structure the services on offer and in the process lock out individuals and organisations from offering their services at a fee.
In order to effectively implement the policy, it calls for the need to ensure a sustainable resource provision to be mobilised from state and non state actors in accordance with the Public Finance Management Act 2012.
The Ministry of Education will be required to draw a budget for the same in recognition of the role it plays in harnessing the competencies and talents of the learners.
Education Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed noted that though they appreciate the efforts of these groups in supporting learners find a bearing in their personal and career development, they are however uncoordinated.
“Various actors in the field of mentorship have different curricula depending on their areas of focus. In addition, some of the content and the service providers are not vetted,” she said.
She noted that the ministry developed this mentorship policy for basic education to provide direction and a coordination framework for effective and efficient delivery of mentorship services to all learners.
The draft policy, citing numerous studies, argues that “mentorship is a critical aspect that boosts individuals’ intrinsic motivation, aspiration and inspiration in matters of life.”
Its absence, it offers, has impacted negatively on the acquisition of knowledge and skills to cope with life challenges.
However, lack of structured mentorship and inspirational activities or mechanisms in schools play a critical role in hindering learner’s attendance and learning outcomes.
The decision to have the policy in place is partly informed by the Taskforce on the Realignment of Education and Training with the Kenya Constitution, 2010.
Despite the importance of moulding, mentoring and nurturing learners of national values in the education system, the taskforce noted that gaps still exist key among them lack of policy or guidelines on mentorship.
It recommended for proper positioning of mentoring and moulding at all levels with a clear policy and legislation.
“The mentorship programme will be anchored on the principle of volunteerism. The actors in this mentorship programmes shall be encouraged to offer their services voluntary for the good of the society.
The ministry of education will coordinate and seek to establish partnerships and collaboration with actors offering mentorship services.
It will also develop procedures and tools for screening and vetting individuals and organisation to offer the services.
Besides maintain data of the service providers same and periodic reviewing, a code of ethics will be in place and the actors required follow.
It will also seek to mainstream mentorship into teacher training curriculum and infuse the same into the Teacher development programmes.
