Incorporate nonfiction literary works in English and literature curriculum

Kebabe D.E.B Comprehensive Primary school in Ekerenyo, Nyamira County displays the copies of Standard Newspaper during the launch of Newspaper in Education in their school. (Sammy Omingo, Standard)

Sometimes in the early 2000, a senior lecturer at Egerton University Joseph Walunywa argued that learners in educational institutions in Kenya should be exposed to nonfiction works as part of their education. Dr Walunywa said that authorities in education could enrich the English language curriculum, which is integrated, to include nonfiction works. The suggestion had persuasive value.

The current English curriculum is tilted towards fictional works. We have a whole paper devoted to fictional works—novels, plays, poetry and oral literature. The curriculum does not provide for nonfiction writing—essays, journals, diaries, letters, biographies, speeches, satires, literary criticism.