 |
| Parents listen intently |
It's all
change at Happy House School, as in schools across Kenya, as a radical change in the system is
rolled out.
Despite
fears it is being rushed the new education chief minister affirmed that the second
phase of the 2-6-3-3-3 system was being introduced across 33,000 public
and private primary schools this term.
The new system will
replace the 32-year-old 8-4-4 system.
Schools
and parents were caught off guard by the decision to bring the new system into
effect immediately, and new curriculum books are still in print/
Mama
and head teacher, Mr Isaac, held a meeting to explain to parents how the
changes would affect their families and to reassure them that we were ready and able to adapt to change.
This
will be the second time the country will be adopting a new curriculum since the
1985 change-over from the 7-4-2-3 system.
The new
curriculum has put forward as the ultimate remedy to limitations identified in
the 8-4-4 system because it is entirely skills-based.
The 2-6-3-3-3 was
piloted in 2017 between across 470 schools – 10 in each
county.
When it is
fully implemented, over a number of years, learners will not sit exams but they
will be evaluated through Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs) on the skills
acquired as opposed to cramming for exams.
Experts are of
the view that it will enable learners to develop beyond academics and also
focus on how best they can use their specific talents to make a living.
The needs of
special needs children have also been incorporated in the curriculum which will
integrate ICT at all levels of education.
The emphasis will
be on formative years of learning where learners will spend a total of eight
years - 2 in pre-primary and six in primary.
