In a significant move to aid in resolving the laboratory facilities deficit facing junior secondary schools, the Kenyan national government has requested that secondary schools share their lab spaces with nearby junior secondary institutions. This is meant to ensure that current gaps in practical science education offered by different schools are bridged so as to facilitate the implementation of the Competency Based Curriculum.
Background and Context
The old 8.4.4 knowledge-based curriculum is currently being phased out and in its place is the new Competency Based Curriculum – CBC. The new curriculum emphasizes practical skills, and apart from that, it enhances creativity and critical thinking to prepare learners for the dynamic demands of the modern world. However, the process has been rocked by several teething problems, key among them being the lack of laboratory facilities for junior secondary schools announced to accommodate JSS.
Challenges were pointed out by Charles Ong’ondo, the Director in charge of Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development, KICD, while giving his speech at the education day for Rachuonyo North Sub County at Gendia Secondary School in Karachuonyo constituency. He said CBC requires practical work that needs enough Laboratory space, a challenge that is still being faced and needs immediate attention.
Government Initiatives
In light of these challenges, the government has initiated projects to construct 16,000 grade 9 classrooms and has also proposed to build laboratories in each and every junior secondary school. Until these laboratories are built and fully operational, sharing of their existing lab spaces by the secondary schools with students of JSS should be encouraged.
The government has just started building 16,000 grade 9 classrooms with a long-term master plan of constructing laboratories in all primary schools. In the short run, we call for secondary schools to open their labs for use by the junior secondary schools in their neighborhoods,” said Ong’ondo.
Mobile Laboratories
Apart from sharing, the government will provide mobile laboratories for the primary schools that are distant from the secondary schools. The mobile laboratories are equipped with science equipment and tools to help the students experiment and learn about concepts of science. This was announced through Ong’ondo’s speech during the education day celebrations.
Enhancing Implementation of CBC
The government is determined to complete the implementation of the CBC curriculum. It’s a system that aims to bring about holism in education by adding what happens at school and what happens away from school to the children. The new system will therefore encompass some aspects such as non-formal programming like gaming, music, theatre, and parental involvement.
Ong’ondo reiterated the use of the new curriculum ” Government is very anxious to operationalize this new curriculum in order to guarantee it delivers its competency objectives.
Call to Awareness
Also in attendance were Karachuonyo MP Adipo Okuome and Homa Bay Director of Education Eunice Khamemba, who contributed to the resolutions by stating that people require more sensitization on the existence and relevance of the CBC in Kenya. Okuome stressed that sensitization will propel the smooth adoption and acceptance of the curriculum.
Since most people in this country are yet to understand the new curriculum, the Ministry of Education should therefore continue creating awareness. When appropriate sensitization is done, Kenyans will fully accept it,” Okuome said.
Transforming Education and Employment
Okuome also explained how the CBC could be a game-changer in terms of transforming graduate job prospects. Designed to build practical skills and promote self-employment, the new system aims to wean the youth from waged employment to creating their own jobs.
“The new system is problem-oriented and encourages self-employment, which is something the youth can do. Youth dependency is not allowed,” Okuome said.
Conclusion
The government’s move to share laboratory spaces between secondary and junior secondary schools joins the long list of critical steps towards having a successful implementation of the Competency Based Curriculum. By addressing practical needs of students and boosting their learning experiences, reads a clear way towards leaving behind a more skilled generation and one that is self-reliant. Continued creation of awareness and development of infrastructure will ensure that the CBC is even more successful alongside the general improvement of the education sector in Kenya.