Pivotal events in education sector as schools and colleges reopen

Pupils at Joel Omino Primary School in Kisumu. [Washington Onyango, Standard]

This year is critical for the education sector. It is packed with major events, most of which have been occasioned by a disruption of the school calendar following the outbreak of Covid-19 and transition challenges -from 8-4-4 to the competency-based curriculum.

Today, The Standard highlights some of the key events and those charged with ensuring the lost academic time is regained and reforms are implemented.

Ministry of Education

The ministry is expected to ensure the smooth running of schools and colleges after reopening. This includes ensuring Covid-19 containment measures are followed.

It must provide funding for basic and higher education institutions. This will be done by ensuring timely release of schools’ capitation and universities’ and colleges’ funding to plug deficits.

The ministry is also expected to expand infrastructure in schools and colleges in readiness for transition in respect to CBC.

It is also faced with ensuring learners join schools under the 100 per cent transition policy.

The ministry is also expected to trace pregnant girls and those who have given birth and facilitate their return to school.

Push for curriculum recovery. Schools lost precious time following spate of student unrest that in some cases resulted in learners burning dormitories.

The ministry will also be working to ensure the five national examinations - two KCPE and two KCSE exams, and one Grade Six exam - are delivered.

Parents and learners 

Parents will be expected to ensure their children return to school and maintain discipline.

Parents to clear school fees. There is worry about the safety of children due to fears of indiscipline spillover from last term.

Teachers:

They are expected to be innovative, guide learners, counsel those traumatised by last term’s arson cases, and also ensure curriculum coverage.

Teachers Service Commission (TSC)

The commission is expected to ensure teachers cover the curriculum.

Teachers will still bear the weight of Covid-19 effects and will require full support from the government through TSC.

It will be expected to recruit more teachers to match demands and also make plans for transition to junior secondary schools.

The commission must steady the teaching sector by managing relationships with unions after non-monetary CBA.

Revisit CBA talks with unions and manage promotions.

Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD)

The implementation of CBC in Grade Six starts in April.

Distribution of Grade Six books and set books to start next week.

Evaluation of Grade Seven books starts in March.

Validation and approving Grade 7, 8, and 9 curriculum designs.

Inducting of secondary school teachers in collaboration with TSC.

Monitoring and evaluation of Grade Five uptake.

Kenya National Examination Council (Knec)

Administration, marking, and release of KCPE and KCSE examinations under special term dates.

Administration of primary education examinations at Grade Six, under the CBC.

Managing and coordinating school-based assessments.

Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET)

Employment of 3,000 TVET trainers.

Rollout of CBET across all TVET institutions.

Expansion of infrastructure to admit two groups of KCSE candidates.

Rebranding of TVET to gain more acceptability from candidates and parents.

Accreditation of institutions and trainers.

Universities:

Funding of universities, most of which are reeling in debts, will also dominate this year.

Public universities are sinking in the upwards of Sh40 billion debts that have hampered their smooth operations.

The universities also need about Sh52.8 billion to complete projects.

Universities will continue to push for fees review from Sh16,000 to Sh48,000.

The emotive discussion has already prompted protests from students who have vowed to oppose the move.

Focus will still be on placement of students in private universities by KUCCPS. Public universities want the funds spent on the students to be diverted to them.

Expansion of infrastructure.

Unions: Knut and Kuppet

Recruitment and promotions of more teachers will be a focus this year for unions.

Renegotiating 2021-2025 CBA to have a salary hike component included.

Address Teacher Development Training (TPD) costs, age of participants and duration of trainings.

Deployment of teachers to (Junior Secondary Schools) Grades 7, 8 and 9.