Science and Math Now Mandatory for Grade 10 Senior School Students.
The Principal Secretary for Basic Education, Dr. Belio Kipsang, reaffirmed that all Grade 10 students will undertake science and mathematics, aligning with the recommendations from the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms.
Grade 10 marks the commencement of senior school, where students select career pathways from three categories: Arts and Sports Science, Social Sciences, and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
Dr. Kipsang highlighted that each school must offer at least two pathways, with STEM being mandatory. He noted that laboratories are being established in all senior schools to facilitate the science pathway.
Resources have been mobilized to equip 1,600 schools with the necessary laboratory infrastructure. He emphasized the importance of nationwide consultations to incorporate public input on senior school transition.
Speaking in Machakos Town during the launch of a nationwide consultation series on competency-based curriculum (CBC) implementation, Dr. Kipsang acknowledged concerns from stakeholders regarding teacher readiness.
Participants emphasized the necessity of training secondary school teachers before CBC is introduced in senior school next January.
Representatives from the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) called for immediate retooling of teachers before the first CBC cohort enters Grade 10.
While Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba and the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) expressed confidence in students’ readiness for the transition, concerns remain over CBC implementation, particularly at the junior school level.
Calls for Immediate Teacher Retooling
Education stakeholders warned that delays in teacher training might hinder Grade 9 students’ career pathway selection. Recognizing the urgency, TSC proposed that retooling programs commence by September. KNUT Secretary-General Collins Oyuu suggested drawing lessons from CBC implementation in earlier grades to ensure a smooth transition.
Despite this, KUPPET and other forum participants asserted that teacher induction into CBC is long overdue. National Organizing Secretary Paul Ngei stressed the need for a structured approach, arguing that teachers should have already undergone retooling. He pointed out that uncertainty among teachers must be addressed promptly to prevent last-minute rushed training.
Educationist Stephen Mudho advocated for exposing teachers to CBC before retooling to ensure familiarity with the curriculum. Meanwhile, Boaz Waruku from the Elimu Bora Working Group urged the government to enhance infrastructure, recruit additional teachers, and improve working conditions ahead of the Grade 10 transition.
Mudho further emphasized that teachers need prior knowledge of CBC before attending training sessions to maximize its effectiveness.
The consultation forums occur two months after Grade 9 was introduced, a phase plagued by challenges such as inadequate classrooms and a shortage of teachers. Education CS Ogamba assured the public that the government is committed to integrating feedback from the forums to refine the transition process.
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He acknowledged that prior to this stage, the public had not been adequately informed about the Grade 9 to Grade 10 transition guidelines.
The forums aim to address this gap, ensuring nationwide clarity on the requirements and expectations for a seamless progression. He reiterated that the government is prepared to roll out the career pathways and ensure smooth implementation of CBC at the senior school level.
The CS also urged schools to remain patient as the government finalizes the disbursement of pending capitation funds essential for facilitating CBC implementation.
Science and Math Now Mandatory for Grade 10 Senior School Students.
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