Grade Three pupils to face learning hitch next year

Kenya Publishers Association (KPA) Chairman Lawrence Njagi (right) addresses a press conference in Nairobi yesterday. He is flanked by Moran Publishers General Manager Mary Maina (centre) and KPA council member Musyoki Muli. [David Njaaga, Standard]

There is not enough time to print new curriculum books for primary school pupils joining Grade Four in January, publishers have warned.

This means pupils presently in Grade Three ­– the first group to begin learning under the new system of education ­– might not have new books when they go to the next level.

Kenya Publishers Association (KPA) Chairman Lawrence Njagi said the Government had delayed to send to publishers Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) design materials.

The process to publish the new learning materials requires at least six months, according to Mr Njagi.

“Unless a miracle happens, it is practically impossible to implement CBC in January next year. This means the pupils in Grade 3 now will revert to the 8-4-4 system,” said Njagi.

This will be a major setback to the newly-launched 2-6-3-3-3 Competency Based Curriculum that replaces the 32-year-old 8-4-4 system.

The Education ministry in January rolled out the new system of education designed by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) team amid protests by teachers' unions that the programme was being rushed.

The new system was launched for pre-school and Grades 1, 2 and 3. In January, the pupils in Grade 3 will join Grade 4.

The CBC is designed to emphasise the significance of developing skills and knowledge and also applying those competencies to real life situations.

But according to KPA, the Government is not ready for the progression to Grade 4 because of financial and logistical challenges. 

Njagi said that despite their association writing to the Education ministry to address the matter, there has been no response from Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed.

The Standard tried to contact Amina and Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang but neither responded to calls nor replied to short text messages.

KICD boss Julius Jwan was also unavailable to comment.