Public schools leading in CBC practicals, reports
Public schools leading in the implementation of Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) practical lessons, according to new research
Public schools leading in the implementation of Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) practical lessons, according to new research.
The schools are doing much better than their private counterparts when it comes to practicals, said Prof Charles Ong’ondo, the director of the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD), which conducted the study.
“Public schools have done well in this, you’ve ensured learners experience practicals and creative activities. Even though we are accused of asking learners to come with chicken, this has helped in learning. Our research shows public schools have ensured a lot of practicals,” said Prof Ong’ondo.
According to him, some learners assume that chicken comes from supermarkets, but owing to practical skills learned in school, children have been exposed to practicals and are now participating in housework, including cooking, and problem-solving.
The head of KICD urged the more than 10,000 school administrators at the Kenya Primary Schools Head Teachers Association meeting at the Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Primary School in Mombasa to make sure that learning is attractive and that students interact and participate in practicals.
In addition, Prof Ong’ondo supported the move by the state to domicile junior secondary schools in primary learning institutions, saying the transition will be beneficial to the learners.
“Because you have known these children for six years, they are aged 12 to 15, transiting at a very critical stage of their lives. You will be able to guide them. You are the best people to transit these learners physically. When they break their voice you will guide them, you are the midwives as they transition from socialization to exploration,” said the KICD director.
End of teacher delocalization policy
He urged the teachers to take care of the pupils’ emotional development.
“Some of them did not even know they were doing KPSEA. So you have to explain to them. Last week, in one of the schools, two children began crying due to a mix-up in their (exam) sheets. Their teacher had to be called — not even the invigilator — to talk to them,” said Prof Ong’ondo.
The institute advises the government on curriculum matters, develops curricula for all levels of education except universities, and evaluates all curriculum support materials.
“I see a number of our partners here who are publishers, with their publications. Headteachers, any time publications come to your institutions, always ask whether they have been approved by KICD because we serve as gatekeepers to ensure the materials have been checked for their relevance, access, and utility values to the learners,” said Prof Ong’ondo.
He urged teachers to ensure learning is interesting and learners do not feel tortured, forced, and unhappy while in school.
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