New subject for schools  

• Peace Education will be offered to students in both primary and secondary schools.

• It will not be examined by the Kenya National Examinations Council.

The ministry of Basic Education has introduced a new subject for Kenya schools.

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Peace Education will be offered to students in both primary and secondary schools at the start of next term in January.

Learners will go through a set of prepared peace manuals by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and curriculum developers from the Kenya Institute of Education (KIE).

It will not be examined by the Kenya National Examinations Council, although some questions will be based on peace in already examinable subjects.

Speaking during the launch of the subject at KIE, Basic Education minister Prof Sam Ongeri said 1,750 field officers will be dispatched to the districts to train teachers on how to facilitate the subject.

“This subject has been as a result of the crisis that befell the country early this year after the 2007 general elections,” said Minister Ongeri adding that it was among other efforts the Ministry has taken to counter the negative effects of the elections.  

Some schools were burnt down and others vandalized in the wake of violence following a disputed December election.

Teachers, education officers and learners were displaced while there was a general disruption of teaching and learning in most parts of the country.

Developed content materials and other books relevant to peace were on Tuesday distributed through the provincial and district directors of education who attended the one-day session.

Basic Education Permanent Secretary Prof Karega Mutahi said that the subject aims at teaching how to resolve disputes by engaging peaceful measures.

“Through peace education, the entire society will develop a culture of living harmoniously and appreciating others regardless of their differences,” he said.

Some themes being addressed include conflict, perception and bias, negotiation and reconciliation, towards healing and problem solving skills among others.

Although not examinable, the content delivery is interactive with methods as group work, role-playing and case studies engaging the learner effectively.