Kenya school curriculum aligned with new law

Students from Maryjoy Kindergarten, Mombasa perform a Kiswahili choral verse titled 'Shule Yangu' during the Kenya National Music Festival at Aga Khan High School August 3, 2009. Key amendments will start this term in primary and secondary schools. Photo/FILE

The school syllabus has been changed to make it relevant to the new Constitution.

Key amendments will start this term in primary and secondary schools with most of the changes being made in social studies, history and government.

A detailed directive from the Ministry of Education has been sent to all schools through the provincial and district education officers.

Some of the basic changes include the replacement of the provincial administration with county governments, inclusion of dual citizenship, and commissions that have been set up under the new law.

“These changes are to come into effect immediately and the information should be brought to the attention of all schools,” Mr Enos Oyaya, the director of quality assurance and standards at the ministry, said.

“The aim is to make deliberate efforts to respond to the Constitution while making the subjects relevant and meaningful.”

However, Mr Oyaya noted that the changes would not have any effect on the overall structure, main topics or coding of the subjects.

Kenya Primary Schools Headteachers Association boss Joseph Karuga said that money had been allocated to buy books in the new move.

“I will be advising school heads in due time,” he said, adding, teachers would also need to be inducted.

This is the first tangible action that the ministry has taken in aligning education with the new Constitution.

Meanwhile, Education permanent secretary James ole Kiyiapi has said that members of a taskforce that will oversee education policy change will be named next week.

The taskforce will study education policies and then collate them. These include the Education Act, Sessional Papers, Statutes, reports of various education commissions and policies.

The team, to be headed by the PS, will hold regional meetings to find out what needs government attention. A national conference to discuss proposals will take place later in the year.