KICD Take Action on Controversial Biology Textbook Content Following Public Outcry
The Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) has responded to public concerns regarding certain content in the textbook Certificate Biology for Form Three.
The concerns were raised by several Kenyans who took issue with two sentences in the book that seemed to imply that indecent dressing could lead to rape and that modesty and dress codes are effective in preventing such incidents.
The controversial textbook, published by East African Educational Publishers (EAEP) in 2004, was approved by KICD (then KIE) in 2005 and included in the Orange Book. A new edition was printed and distributed to schools in 2018.
The emails received by KICD indicated that the narrative in the book was misleading and dangerous as it perpetuates victim-blaming and reinforces rape culture.
The concerned individuals urged KICD to issue a public apology and conduct a thorough review of all educational materials to prevent future issues.
KICD’s Response and Apology
KICD, in its response, acknowledged the concerns raised and expressed regret for not detecting the problematic content during the 2005 evaluation.
The Institute explained that its mandate includes the development, evaluation, and approval of curricula and curriculum support materials for use in Kenyan schools and tertiary institutions.
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KICD emphasized that the evaluation process is rigorous, involving panels of educators and professionals who assess materials based on relevance, accuracy, language use, and inclusiveness.
However, KICD conceded that the sentences in question could indeed be interpreted as suggesting that indecent dressing is a cause of rape and may insinuate victim-blaming.
The Institute apologized to readers who found the content misleading and reassured the public that there was no intention to justify rape under any circumstances.
KICD reiterated the importance of encouraging modest and decent dressing among learners, especially within the school context.
Steps Taken for Review and Revision
In response to the concerns, KICD has constituted a review panel, in line with its Materials Evaluation Criteria, to reassess the content of the Certificate Biology for Form Three textbook.
This panel, comprising curriculum development officers, quality assurance officers, teachers, and other stakeholders, has been tasked with reviewing the content within two weeks.
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KICD will then advise the publisher on necessary revisions to prevent any potential misinterpretations by learners. Schools will also be informed of how to guide learners on the relevant topic following the review.
KICD emphasized its commitment to addressing all legitimate concerns regarding curricula and curriculum support materials, assuring the public that these issues will be handled swiftly and effectively.
KICD Take Action on Controversial Biology Textbook Content Following Public Outcry
