International schools align with education reforms to access funds

Schools offering the British curriculum have started aligning with the new education reforms.

The schools' administrators said this will allow their graduates to access government scholarship and loans in the new funding model.

Lukenya British Curriculum School principal Stephen Derwent Partington observed that previously the learners would only be absorbed in private institutions of higher learning.

"We are prepared for Kenya's development in the education system, and we have aligned our teachers with the new CBC system," said Partington.

Speaking during the launch of the Advanced Level system at the school, Partington observed that learners will access funds from the government in the new funding model.

"We are giving the learners best resources as well to ensure seamless learning environment," he said.

Partington noted that the institutions have to align with the government's new system of education by introducing sixth form.

"The British Curriculum Advance Level is a legal requirement for IGCSE graduates who must have another qualification between IGCSE and university," he added.

The level is intensive in academics but also an exciting course for teachers to teach and allows students to enjoy what they are learning. 

"It is a highly respected international qualification that will get children into universities in Kenya and abroad," he added.

The principal said the students are to put on different uniforms to distinguish them from lower-level students.

He stated that the system has separated students for distinction in new hostels, academic blocks, common rooms, and new uniforms.

"We are allowing the learners to give their input at every level, including the routine of the school," Partington said.

He said this is a classic opportunity for students to prove their maturity.

The event coincided with the dedication of learners for the national examinations due to begin next week.

Calistus Wanyonyi, a teacher at the school, said the school has designed a course that takes into account the child’s previous learning.

"For younger children in Grade Six, they leave CBC aged about 12, a perfect age for year eight," he said.

"We want the children to make the transition not just at the right age but because our school is prepared to host."

He noted that this will form a seamless transition for learners from the two systems of education.

"The children find the jump smooth from CBC to the British Curriculum as the school is prepared, and they will find the right matrix already there," he added.

"When our students finished O-Level, they fitted well in the private education sector. Now the introduction of A Level has made it easier for the students to fit in international and local universities," he said.

He added that this will also ensure that the students have no challenges in the job market.

Wanyonyi noted that earlier on the students used to finish at a younger age, making it difficult to fuse well with the rest in higher institutions.