KICD In Hurry to Scrap CBC Subjects Before Next Academic Year
The education reform task force recommended that the number of subjects taught in pre-primary, primary, and junior secondary institutions (JSS) be decreased. The Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) is attempting to execute this suggestion as quickly as possible.
Presently, students in the seventh grade must take 12 required subjects and a maximum of two electives. It was suggested that this number be reduced to eight by the Presidential Working Group on Education Reforms (PWPER).
Three of the twelve required subjects are pre-technical studies, English, and mathematics. Integrated Science, Social Studies, Business Studies, Agriculture, Kiswahili/Kenyan Sign Language, and (Islamic, Hindu, or Christian) Additional disciplines include life skills, athletics and physical education, religious education, and health education.
The organisation has until the end of August to rationalise curriculum from pre-primary to JSS, according to KICD CEO Charles Ong’ondo.
The crucial query regarding the continuation of the competency-based curriculum (CBC) was discussed by Professor Ong’ondo.
Important factors including parental participation and the wide range of subject areas for learning were discussed. He agreed that the multiple subject areas and the demands that go along with them frequently cause parents to feel overburdened.
When it comes to public opinion, Prof. Ong’ondo emphasised that over 90% of Kenyans expressed a preference for the CBC to continue, even with regard for resolving some inadequacies.
The task force acknowledged the need to “rationalise” rather than “reduce” certain of the learning areas. He called this process of “rationalisation” what it was. These precise numerical guidelines added much-needed clarity to the project.
Prof. Ong’ondo assured the audience that it was both possible and useful to rationalise the learning domains. He revealed that conversations about the topic learning areas had been started by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD).
The strategy focused on locating subject areas that had similar strands and sub-strands, allowing the fusion of knowledge to maximise learning effectiveness.
With a limited number of learning areas, this technique intended to ensure that students still gained the fundamental knowledge and abilities.
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There are now five pre-primary learning areas that won’t change. Lower primary now has nine learning areas, however that number will be lowered to seven.
In upper elementary, there will be eight instead of 10 learning domains. At the JSS level, subjects will be cut from 14 to 9.
“Going forward, we’ll make sure that Junior Secondary School (JSS) students have eight core subject areas and just one optional.
Prof. Ongondo declared, “We are already working on this, and we anticipate being able to direct the Ministry of Education by September.”
The core subjects in JSS will still include English, math, Kiswahili, integrated science, social studies, religious education (Islamic, Hindu, or Christian), pre-technical studies, and agriculture.
The arts (visual and performing arts), applied sciences (home economics, computer studies, or business studies), and foreign languages will be considered for the ninth subject.
The nation was given comfort by Professor Ong’ondo, who emphasised that there would be no losses.
He emphasised the phrase used by the presidential working committee, claiming that the current procedure is an attempt to rationalise the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC)’s guiding principles.
The goal is also to address the worries about the potential financial obligations that parents might face.
Reevaluating the learning areas has received praise from education stakeholders, including the National Parents Association, who claim that doing so will lighten the strain on pupils.
Charles Ochome, the Kenya Private Schools Association’s head, claims that the arrangement is advantageous for all sides.
He added that this arrangement results in a situation where students have less obligations and more varied assignments, and schools can make sure they have an adequate number of professors for these particular topics.
Parents would feel at ease once the recommendations are put into practise, according to Mr Silas Obuhatsa, chairman of the National Parents Association.
KICD In Hurry to Scrap CBC Subjects Before Next Academic Year
