News
Schools offer studies on peace
Mr Gabriel Lesianito from Sotik struggles with the microphone during the launch of Peace Education is a school subject at the KIE in Nairobi on Tuesday. It will not be an examinable subject. Photo/FAITH NJUGUNA
Posted Tuesday, September 30 2008 at 17:26
Peace Education has been introduced as a compulsory subject in both primary and secondary schools from next term.
The Ministry of Basic Education says the subject is a response to post-election violence witnessed early this year.
Learners will go through a set of peace manuals prepared by the United Nations Children’s Fund and curriculum developers at the Kenya Institute of Education.
Education minister
It will not be examined by the Kenya National Examinations Council, although some questions will be based on peace in existing examinable subjects.
Speaking on Tuesday during the launch of the subject at KIE, Basic Education minister Sam Ongeri said 1,750 field officers would be dispatched to districts to train teachers on how to handle the subject.
Developed content material and other books on peace were on Tuesday distributed through the provincial and district directors of education.
“This subject has been as a result of the crisis that befell the country early this year after the 2007 elections,” said Prof Ongeri.
Some schools were burnt and others vandalised in post-election chaos.
Teachers, education officers and students were displaced and there was a general disruption of teaching and learning in most parts of the country.
A wave of unrest last term left property of considerable value in at least 300 schools destroyed. Permanent secretary Karega Mutahi said students would be trained on conflict resolution.
“Through peace education, the entire society will develop a culture of living harmoniously and appreciating others regardless of their differences,” Prof Mutahi said.
It addresses conflict, perception and bias, negotiation and reconciliation, healing and problem solving. Although not examinable, content delivery is interactive through group work and role play.
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Submitted by Make1Posted October 01, 2008 02:41 PM
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Submitted by wanmt
Panic measures like this particular one indicates how ignorant our leaders can be. They should confront the real danger to peace in the country by tough legislation and foolproof enforcemnt. Hidden tribal hatred and mistrust must be sorted out. Act but rightly.
Posted October 01, 2008 04:48 AM -
Submitted by ronrono
Time was when after turmoil the nation returned to business as usual. The scarlet picture of the post-election violence has been stenciled in the minds of children. Some experienced tne bleakness of a nagging despair. They started to feel as if they were unable to bake bricks of hope to build castles in the air. And so it is necessary to reassure them. Or else.... We must also come to see peace is not merely the outward abscence of a negative ill but also the inward prescence of a positive will. Yea; peace must be taught and learnt.
Posted October 01, 2008 04:33 AM
RSS
All this is well and good but is it just theory without a practical edge. Any knowledge is good but if it is going to be forgotten as soon as one steps out of class, like all theoretical subjects, then one calls its usefulness. In addition there should be a curriculum on social ethics that stresses first and foremost the sanctity of life and drumming home to all and sundry of the unsurpassed need to do unto others what we hope/like to be done unto us, reality of good living.