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CS Magoha on reopening of schools- Here are the reasons why we should reopen schools in October

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Education Cabinet Secretary Professor George Magoha has said schools should be reopened this year as opposed to January next year, 2021. The CS said this while appearing before the Departmental Committee on Education, today, for a status update on Measures for safe reopening of schools amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have to ask ourselves what will be different in January 2021, if there won’t be much difference, we need to move towards a consensus to reopen schools as soon as possible… I cannot give you a definite date, but I can assure you that it is Time to Reopen Learning Institutions, because we do not expect any much difference now.” He told the Legislators.

But, Magoha was quick to point out that it is only the Ministry of Health that will give him a clean bill of health before reopening primary and secondary schools.

“Reopening of all learning institutions should take cognizance of the guiding principles provided by Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education… Decisions regarding reopening of learning institutions may change as informed by prevailing circumstances and increased knowledge of the COVID-19.” He added.

According to CS Magoha, the minimum reopening conditions as set by the Ministry of Health. He says reducing contact in learning institutions by having fewer learners at the same time will have a great impact in reducing COVID-19 cases and fatalities associated with reopening of institutions. At the same time, social distancing, hand-washing with soap or use of sanitizers, wearing of masks / face shields and monitoring body temperature will have a great impact on reducing COVID-19 infections.

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Magoha’s pronouncement, on Wednesday, came a day after he announced a phased reopening approach to institutions of higher learning; with priority given to finalists.

“Reopening of learning institutions should prioritise finalists and examination cohorts in Universities,Teacher Training Colleges and TVET institutions. For schools, reopening should prioritize candidate classes (Standard 8 and Form 4) and the pioneer Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) cohort (Grade 4) to facilitate smooth transition.” Magoha explained.

Education CS Prof. George Magoha makes a point before the Departmental Committee on Education on Wednesday for a status update on Measures for safe reopening of schools amid COVID-19, a petition on delayed payment of suppliers by Secondary Schools, and to respond to questions by MPs.
Education CS Prof. George Magoha makes a point before the Departmental Committee on Education on Wednesday for a status update on Measures for safe reopening of schools amid COVID-19, a petition on delayed payment of suppliers by Secondary Schools, and to respond to questions by MPs.

During his address to the Nation on Monday, President Uhuru Kenyatta warned against rushed reopening of basic learning institutions saying the safety of learners whould be given priority.

Teachers have at the same been told to continue reporting for duty and ensure their schools are ready to receive learners once the opening dates are announced.

The Teachers Service Commission, TSC, has instructed school heads and principals to update all teachers’ details in both the Teachers Management Information System (TMIS) and Teacher Performance Appraisal Development (TPAD) systems. This is supposed to be done by close of Business on Friday October 2, 2020.

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Plans to hold 2020 Kenya Music Festivals regional workshop for teachers thwarted as TSC- Education Ministry clash

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The fate of this year’s Nyanza Region Kenya Music Festivals regional workshop remains unknown after the Ministry of Education and local Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Officials sent conflicting directives. Teachers were expected to assemble at Kisii school on Tuesday ahead of the official opening of the training on Wednesday.

According to an invitation letter sent by the Nyanza Region Director of Education Richard Chepkawai, reporting and registration was to be on March 3, 2020. Training of the Music trainers would then be executed between March 4 and 6, 2020.

TSC-MOE CLASH

“Training shall be in the following (areas): Music, Dance and Elocution. There shall be a participation fee of KShs. 2,500 per ‘participant,” says Chepkawai in the circular dated February 26, 2020.

Then came a warning note to the Principals. “Please note that the Commission (TSC) has not given clearance for the Regional music workshop at Kisii School. Do not release teachers for the workshop until clearance is given from TSC headquarters,” read the message sent to one of the Principals.

This would then send teachers into confusion mode. “I have been released from school already. In fact I have booked into a hotel in Kisii and paid for three days. Stopping the meeting at this stage will mean that I do not the refund of the accommodation fees. Again, my Principal will be unwilling to release me at a later date for the same training; in case it is rescheduled,” said a worried teacher who sought anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.

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OFFICIALS INSIST ‘TRAINING IS ON’

But, Music officials who had reported to Kisii school on Tuesday insisted the meeting was on as planned. But the Music trainers (teachers) urged the officials to make official communication to the Principals to release teachers.

These supremacy wars between TSC and Ministry officials seem to be weighing-in heavily on the harmonious execution of Co-curricular activities. It should be noted that the activities are run by the Ministry of Education but teachers who perform various roles (as coaches, officials and referees) in making the activities successful are under TSC.

As at the time of going to press it was not clear whether the Kisii Seminar will go on as planned or the officials would consider postponing it; to a later date and preferably over the Weekend.

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CS Magoha now announces the reopening dates for all schools

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Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha has finally announced the reopening of  all primary and secondary schools after months of speculation. Learners in Grade 4, Class 8 and Form Four will report on Monday, 12th October, 2020.

According to the released calendar, KCPE examinations will start on March 22, 2021 and end on March 24, 2021. KCSE exams are also set to start on March 25, 2021 and end on April 16, 2021.

This will end the long wait for schools’ reopening after closure in March due to the outbreak of the deadly covid19 pandemic in the country.

Get, here, the full details as released by CS Magoha today;

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Courses offered at the Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE)

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Applications are invited from qualified applicants for the following courses which will be offered either through Distance Learning/School Based, Full time or Part time (Evening) Mode in 2021/2022. Applicants are advised to apply online by logging into www.kise.ac.ke.

LIST OF COURSES OFFERED AT KISE

Course Name Course Requirements School Based 6 Sessions Apr-21
Diploma in Special Needs Education P1 teacher certificate by training or Mean Grade of KCSE D+ or KCE Division III and in addition a KNEC certificate in ECDE Full Time 2 Years Sep-21
Certificate in Special Needs Education (Inclusive Education) A minimum of D+ in KCSE School Based 3 Sessions Apr-21
Certificate in Kenyan Sign Language A minimum of D+ in KCSE School Based 3 Sessions Apr-21
Full Time 3 Months March, June & 9/1/2021
Part Time 5 Months Apr-21
Certificate in Functional Diploma in Special Needs Education School Based 3 Sessions Apr-21
Certificate in Audiology Diploma in Special Needs Education School Based 3 Sessions Apr-21
Certificate in Braille A minimum of D+ in KCSE School Based 3 Sessions Apr-21
Certificate in Education for Learners with Autism A minimum of Teacher Training School Based 3 Sessions Apr-21
Certificate in Education for Learners with Mental Disabilities A minimum of Teacher Training School Based 3 Sessions Apr-21
Certificate in Education for Learners with Cerebral Palsy A minimum of Teacher Training School Based 3 Sessions Apr-21
WORKPLACE & SHORT COURSES
•Elementary/Intermediate/Advanced Kenya Sign Language; • Disability Mainstreaming Training The courses are open to Individuals and Organizations The schedule is per agreement
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Mistake leads to loss of form one data on Nemis

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Data for some form ones on the National Education Management Information System, Nemis, has been erased by mistake. This is after a technical hitch was experienced at the portal that stores all primary school and secondary school learners’ information, in Kenya. The erasure does not only affect the 2020 form ones but also new comers in some schools.

“We had registered over 200 students on the system. But, the system shows that we now have zero form ones. Uploading data into this system was a herculean task. We had to trans night so as to beat set deadlines,” says a teacher whose school’s Nemis data had been deleted.

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DATA TO BE RESTORED.

The ministry officials had promised to sort out the mess by Monday.

Screenshot showing that Nemis data for this school is missing; for their form ones.

The government uses the crucial data on Nemis to disburse fees capitation for learners in all public schools. The data is also used for the medical insurance scheme for learners that is provided by the National Hospital Insurance Fund, NHIF. Further, details on Nemis are used to identify participants during co-curricular activities championships.

It is a mandatory requirement that all learners be captured on Nemis. But, in some cases the process of enlisting the learners has been hampered by lack of birth certificates for some of them. Those seeking transfers away from their current schools must get approval through a process that encompasses use of the system.

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Burn schools at your own peril- CS Magoha warns students

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Education Cabinet Secretary Prof. George Magoha has warned learners involved in burning schools that other than paying for damages, they will also be held criminally liable and punished in court.

Prof. Magoha said those above eight years will have to be jailed to deter others from engaging in such crimes, adding that they will also be put in a database, restricting their opportunities in the near future.

The CS added that the database will restrict transfers to other schools, joining institutions of higher learning, employment opportunities, thus affecting their lives in future.

Speaking after distributing masks to pupils of Mwiki primary school in Ruiru Sub county Monday, Magoha said since calls for more collaborations among prefects, teachers, discipline masters and teachers on duties, school arson cases have gone down.

“Any child over eight years is liable to criminal prosecution. Other than paying for damages, they will not be able to criminally get away with it. Again, we will have a database of learners who are involved in these arson cases, and they will be followed up in their future lives,” he said.

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On exam preparedness, the CS said expectant girls preparing for their final exams will be accorded a comfortable environment to do their papers.

He said through chiefs and their assistants, the Ministry has been able to get pregnant girls who were yet to report to school and assured them of their support during the period.

“Only one percent of learners, most of whom are pregnant girls are yet to report to school.  We know where they are. Some have delivered and we shall rehabilitate them in school. We are keen to provide them with a comfortable environment to do their exams even if you deliver during the testing period,” he said.

On the support the government will give this particular school with a population of 3885 pupils, the CS said the government will expand the institution once they get suitable land to ease congestion in the most populated school in Kiambu county.

Area MP Simon King’ara said they have already identified nine acres of land which they will convert to public land to decongest the school.

He said they have also constructed another school a kilometer away, that will be opened in July.

“This area has over 90,000 learners and the NG-CDF is overwhelmed. We welcome government interventions to de-congest the school,” said the MP.

The CS was accompanied by Health CAS Dr. Mercy Mwangangi, nominated senator Isaac Mwaura and several education officials.

Breaking Education News

Senators push for reopening of schools in September

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Senators now want Education Cabinet Secretary Prof. George Magoha to rescind on his earlier plans of pushing reopening of schools to next year, 2021. According to recommendations from the Senate Education Committee, the CS should start a phased reopening of all primary and secondary schools in this year.

Chairperson of Committee on Education in the Senate, Dr. Milgo Alice Chepkorir on Tuesday, July 21, presented recommendations from the Committee in the floor of the house.

“The Education Committee recommends a phased reopening of basic education learning institutions, beginning from September, 2020. (This is) to allow a division of the classes into smaller groups,” said Senator Chepkorir.

The Committee further asks the Ministry to give priority to candidate classes (class 8 and form 4).

“Priority should be given to the national examinations classes, KCPE and KCSE, so that they can continue with syllabus coverage and prepare for examinations,” she said.

These latest recommendations come in the backdrop of increased cases of covid-19 infections in the country. The country is experiencing an unprecedented surge in daily infections.

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REOPENING RECOMMENDATIONS

In pushing reopening to January, 2021, CS Magoha attributed the move to the poor state of infrastructure in schools that can not guarantee social distancing among learners.

The Senators, in their renewed push, also want first lessons for students following reopening to cover similar topics including; epidemic prevention, health care maintenance and how to respond to emergency drills.

Frequent cleaning and hand-washing (done twice in a day), Prohibition of usual morning meetings and parades, cancellation of all sporting activities and field trips are other measures proposed by the Committee.

Additionally, all members of staff (teachers and support staffs) and learners should always wear face masks while, desks and other work stations should be spaced six feet apart.

The spiraling nature of infections paints a grim picture in the proposal to have the schools reopened; considering the sorry state of facilities in most public schools that are otherwise congested.

Plans to have higher institutions of learning open their doors to students in September may be slightly hampered (at-least for now). This is after President Uhuru Kenyatta barred Cabinet secretaries from touring the country as part of efforts to curb spread of the coronavirus disease.

Uhuru’s directive comes in the light of reports that at least three Cabinet Secretaries have contracted Covid-19 and are in self-isolation. The travel ban that is set to last for two weeks will slow down activity at the Education Ministry.

CS Magoha, the Chief Administrative Secretary in the ministry of Education Ms Mumina Bonaya and the Principal Secretary for university education and research Amb. Simon Nabukwesi have been making visits to universities and colleges. The visits are meant to asses the institutions’ levels of preparedness; ahead of the September reopening dates.

The restrictions have affected other CSs like Peter Munya (Agriculture), John Munyes (Mining), James Macharia (Transport) and Eugene Wamalwa (Devolution). Upcountry trips by CSs Fred Matiang’i (Interior), Joe Mucheru (ICT), Mutahi Kagwe (Health), Ukur Yatani (National Treasury) and Adan Mohamed (Regional Integration) have also been disrupted.

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Some schools planning to hire university students to impersonate as KCSE 2021 candidates- Magoha

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The latest Education News– Education Cabinet Secretary Professor George Magoha has reminded examinations centre managers to uphold precautions against malpractises throughout the examination period.

Prof Magoha warned the officials manning the exams against lowering their guard in monitoring the conduct of the exams at the tail end of the KCPE tests that winds up today.

Speaking during the opening of the container in Busia County for the final day of KCPE, Magoha confirmed that all protocols had been observed in the County.

He challenged the centre managers to ensure they are at examination containers for collection of exams materials to inspect all examinational materials to they are well secured to avoid unnecessary blame games

“I want to thank the centre manager in part of Nyanza where children were denied registration; those children took their exams and their rights will be observed as the exam is marked even as the crooked managers of the private schools are brought to book,” Magoha said.

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The CS warned centre managers for KCSE planning to engage in underhand deals to stop confusing candidates by hiring university students to sit for the exams. He confirmed that all agencies are on the lookout for such cases in the country.

“Let me warn again, for the last time, as we go to KCSE examination, we are following up quite a number of cheeky centre managers together with their collaborators, that the integrity of examination shall be protected at all costs,” Magoha added.

He confirmed that marking centres in Nairobi have already began operations by use of the machine for the papers done in the past two days.  Magoha added they will put in consideration that children were out of school for long as the marking exercise commences.

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School free desk programme details- CS Magoha

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All public schools are set to receive free desks from a government desk manufacture project which will cost taxpayers Sh1.96 billion. This is after the government realized that there was an acute shortage of desks in the public schools.

According to Education Cabinet Secretary, George Magoha, Sub-County Education Director in conjunction with the area Deputy County Commissioners will coordinate the project and award tenders to the suitably qualified local artisans.

Prototype desks would be displayed at all the Sub-County headquarters for the artisans to see to enable them manufacture the same ones for onward distribution to schools next year, 2021.

See also; 2020 TSC recruitment schedule per county: Interview dates and venues

No Room for Chicanery in Supply of Desks

National government administrators and field officers have, at the same time, been directed to follow through all aspects of the supply of desks, lockers and chairs to public schools preparatory to resumption of onsite learning in the country.

Education Cabinet Secretary, Prof. George Magoha, has said the government has instituted various risk mitigation strategies to prevent corruption in the project, adding that he will lead inspection tours to ensure the furniture is supplied according to the delivery terms.

“This is not the time to ask ‘what’s in it for me?’ We are doing this for our children. As far as this project is concerned, there is nothing we cannot address. If there are bottlenecks, talk to us directly – not the usual bureaucratic practices,” he said while issuing the guidelines for the implementation of the project to County Commissioners at the KICC.

Kshs.1.9 billion has been allocated under the Economic Stimulus Programme for this programme, which targets SMEs and local artisans. To ensure openness, transparency and non-discrimination in identification of the suppliers, the government has deployed the model that was used to identify the beneficiaries of the COVID-19 weekly stipend, the Kazi Mtaani Initiative, and Older Persons Cash Transfer.

Interior PS, Dr. Karanja Kibicho, expressed his confidence in National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs) and urged them to exercise enforcement discretion against anyone threatening the integrity of the process.

With the presumption that the majority of the prospective suppliers may not have the capacity to deliver on such a project, the government will fund them with up to 50 percent front load.

Dr. Kibicho said, “This is another reason we need national government administrators. It is their responsibility to ensure there is integrity and transparency in this project; it is their responsibility to ensure that anybody who has been contracted delivers these furniture within the timelines set.”

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The plan will realize the delivery of 622,357 desks, lockers, and chairs to public primary and secondary schools, with every ward expected to produce at least one school. Design prototypes and technical specifications have been availed to all County Commissioners, Deputy County Commissioners and County Directors of Education.

The Deputy County Commissioners will lead their teams in confirming the quality of the furniture and compliance with the specifications with the prototypes and ensure proper labeling before delivery to schools.

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Education officials to visit dormitories- PS Jwan directs

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Education officials have been advised to visit dormitories and toilets students use whenever they inspect and supervise schools.

Early Learning and Basic Education Principal Secretary Dr  Julius Jwan said the officials need to go where students sleep and also see the condition of the toilets to establish friendliness of the learning environment in the schools.

Dr Jwan made the remarks when he met senior education officials, led by the Director General Mr. Elyas Abdi at the Kenya School of Government (KSG).

The Principal Secretary advised against guided tours of the institutions, saying the officials must inspect every part of the school, including dormitories, toilets and classrooms.

School inspection and supervision is part of the basic role of Quality Assurance and standards system whose objective is to ensure quality control through regular inspection and continuous supervision of instructional and other educational services in the schools.

Also present during the occasion were Country Directors of Education and their counterparts at the sub country levels.

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CS Magoha issues new orders on pregnant school girls

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Education Cabinet Secretary Prof George Magoha has issued new orders aimed at tracking school girls who may be pregnant or have just given birth. This follows a recent stern warning by President Uhuru Kenyatta, to Chiefs, over increased cases of teenage pregnancies in the country; more so during this covid-19 break.

The head of State read the riot act on Thursday, last week, at the KICC in Nairobi, at the close of a two-day training workshop on Kazi Mtaani for Regional and County Commissioners. He said area chiefs will be held accountable for school-going children who will defiled under their watch.

“You as the area chief will have to answer, where were you when all this was happening?” posed the president

“People must be disciplined, how do we allow people to go around impregnating young girls, and we do not say anything? We are going to wait for the DNA and those people will pay,” President Uhuru added.

CS Magoha |(who has been blaming pornographic sites and prolonged closure of schools for the surge in teenage pregnancies) has now ordered for immediate collection of data for affected school girls.

“”The media reports from different organizations indicate that there is a problem that need to be addressed and this is more so as it caught the attention of the President. The Ministry (of Education) therefore need to have information on the girls who have become pregnant during this season in order to come up with an intervention as schools re-open in January, 2021.” CS Magoha orders in the latest circular sent to Regional, County and Sub-county Directors of Education.

THOUSANDS OF SCHOOL GIRLS ARE EITHER PREGNANT OR YOUNG MOTHERS

Magoha orders the field officers to work closely with the local administration, chiefs, Ministry of Health Officials and School Heads so as to to get full information on the identity and location of the school girls.

The Ministry intends to use the data in order to prevent massive school drop outs when learning resumes next year.

A recent report compiled by the National Council on Population and Development (NCPD) painted a grim picture on the status of teenage pregnancies in the country. According to the report 2 out of 5 teenagers in Kenya are either young mothers or pregnant. The report further alludes that, during the current covid-19 pandemic, close to 20,828 girls aged between 10 and 14 years have become mothers while the older girls aged between 15-19 years, 24,106 are either pregnant or mothers already.

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Science, maths teachers to be trained online

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Teachers handling mathematics and science based subjects (biology, chemistry and physics) will benefit from a training to be organized by the Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in Africa (CEMASTEA). The high school teachers will be trained in various pedagogical skills in sessions that will be carried online. This year’s training will be executed in June and will involve about 11,000 teachers from across the country.

“CEMASTEA intends to train 11,008 Science and Mathematics teachers on innovative teaching and learning approaches aimed at developing critical thinking and problem solving skills and use of ICT in teaching and learning. The training will be conducted through online platforms such as Google classroom and Zoom. Use of purely online training approaches has been necessitated by COVID- 19 pandemic which may not allow for blended training that involves face to face and online platforms.” says the agency

The teachers usually have their training during holidays where they congregate in select schools that are earmarked as inset centres. But, this has not happened this year due to the current covid 19 pandemic that has seen total paralysis not only in the education sector but also in other sectors.

Some of the Google classrooms that CEMASTEA has created in which participants are being enrolled to undertake the training in June 2020.

CEMASTEA carries out these sessions that aim to continuously sharpen the pedagogical skills of mathematics and science teachers so that they are able to deliver quality mathematics and science lessons. To achieve its goals, the centre uses Activity-based, Student-centered, Experiments and Improvisation -ASEI realized through the continual improvement cycle of Plan, Do, See, Improve –PDSI.

Training of teachers is carried out in cohorts. For the June training, guidelines will be provided on the selection criteria to be used through school heads and education officials.

CEMASTEA is a public institution under the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MOEST) that was established in 2004 to provide In-Service Education and Training (INSET) for mathematics and science teachers in Kenya and Africa.

SMASSE programmes have since  2001 been spread to other African countries under the auspices of the Strengthening of Mathematics and Science in Secondary Education in Western, Eastern, Central and Southern Africa (SMASSE-WECSA) which has since 2014 been expanded to SMASE Africa.

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Longhorn publishers offering free Online Learning materials for students and teachers- Details

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Giant Pan-African publishing house for educational materials, Longhorn, is offering free unlimited access to its digital content by all learners. This is in an effort to promote Home Schooling as a result of the ongoing shutdown of all learning institutions. This is good news to millions of learners who are at home as a measure to curb the spread of Coronavirus Disease (COVID19).

“We are offering Free access to our eLearning Platform to help all learners access content for both Primary and Secondary school,” says the company. It is good news for Mobile phone subscribers since the Company has partnered with Airtel Kenya to provide free data access to the platform.

“Grade One to Form Four learners will access learning materials on Longhorn’s online portal, elearning.longhornpublishers.com. The materials provided cover both the new Competency Based Curriculum and also 8-4-4 system,” said Longhorn chief executive Maxwell Wahome via a presser.

Get free data access to the Longhorn Publisher’s E-learning platform by using Airtel.

Available Electronic materials include: interactive Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) materials, comprehensive notes, questions and examination guides for all classes and forms. Interested individuals can create and log into a free Longhorn account by following the link; https://elearning.longhornpublishers.com/

The key features of the Longhorn’s E-learning Platform.

You can at the same tiome download the Longhorn eLearning App from the Google PlayStore to enjoy FREE eLearning materials. The Company runs a Youtube platform that offers a wide range of Elearning services. Subscribe to our Youtube channel via bit.ly/3dh1KQu.

The Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development, KICD, in collaboration with the kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) and EduChannel is also offering enhanced lessons to learners across the country. 

Universities haven’t been left behind, either. Read details here; University students continue with studies via online platforms: CoronaVirus Pandemic

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Here are links to the most important news portals:

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Government sued over bid to reopen schools in September

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The Kenyan government is finding itself in a tight spot over planned reopening of schools slated for this September. 8 petitioners have moved to the High court seeking answers on how the government is prepared ahead of schools’ reopening. Also of major concern, to the petitioners, is the unequal coverage and distribution of e-learning equipment countrywide.

The petitioners (Robert Olouch, Evans Odhiambo, Walter Akeyo, Michael Kojo, Millicent Adhiambo, Evance Atieno, Irene Adhiambo and Mary Omwanda) hold that government has not fully complied with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) guidelines on the reopening of schools. The latest guidelines require that once schools begin to reopen, priority should be on how to reintegrate learners into school settings safely and in ways that allow learning to pick up again, especially for those who suffered the biggest learning losses.

‘The new guidance offers helpful tips and checklists for parents and caregivers, as well as children and students. Actions include:

  • Monitoring children’s health and keeping them home from school if they are ill;
  • Encouraging children to ask questions and express their concerns; and
  • Coughing or sneezing into a tissue or your elbow and avoid touching your face, eyes, mouth and nose.’
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THE VIRTUAL LEARNING PROGRAMME IS DISCRIMINATING

The suit that was filed at the Kisii High Court on Thursday, May 28 the petitioners’ Lawyer Japhet Osoro Kaosa has listed Education, Science and Technology Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Education Science and Technology, Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development and Attorney General were filed as the first, second, third and fourth respondents.

According to the petition papers parents who are registered as essential services providers such as health care workers have little time in guiding their children on e-learning which needs some form of supervision. They thus want the current lessons being streamed by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (kicd) to be declared null and void.

In his latest address, president Uhuru Kenyatta directed the ministry of education to come up with an elaborate plan on how schools are to reopen. He at the same time asked the ministry to rework the school calendar that should be made public by mid August.

There are sharp divisions between stake holders with some supporting the plans to have partial reopening of schools, while others want the year written off and learning to resume in January, 2020.

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CS Magoha releases 2021 school fees and national exams guidelines

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The Ministry of education has released fees guidelines for the year 2021. These guidelines come as schools fully reopen following a closure of about 10 months. The Ministry has at the same time outlined how candidates for the 2020 KCPE and KCSE examinations will be handled.

Via a circular dated Sunday January 3, 2021, Education Cabinet Secretary Professor George Magoha says learners should not be sent away from school due to fees balances.

Here are the 2021 full guidelines to schools as contained in the Circular;

  1. ALL public schools MUST ensure that ALL learners are enrolled back to school irrespective of their fees balances;
  2. Learners from private schools which have closed down, MUST be provided with opportunities for admission in public schools as guided by the Ministry of Education;
  3. National examination candidates whose schools have been closed will be enrolled in various schools from where they will sit their examinations as guided by the Ministry of Education, through the Kenya National Examinations Council.
  4. National examination candidates who transfer from private schools for reasons including inability to pay school fees will be enrolled in public schools but will be required to sit their examinations in the examination centres where they registered.
  5. Schools are encouraged to strengthen their COVID-19 Response Committees and maintain structured engagements with nearest health facilities, the County Rapid Response teams, National Government Administrative Officers and the Children’s Department to strengthen surveillance mechanisms;
  6. Schools should continue to compile lists of ALL learners with underlying conditions with a view to instituting additional measures to protect them from COVID-19 infections;
  7. Schools should continue to enhance mechanisms for providing psycho-social support for both teachers and learners;
  8. All pregnant and teenage mothers MUST be allowed to resume learning in line with the Ministry’s School Re-entry Policy;
  9. Learning institutions are advised to sustain and expand emergency isolation centres to handle any possible COVID-19 cases as they did during the partial re-opening.
  10. Boards of Management shall continue to hold planning meetings to strategise on prevention and mitigation measures and will be required to monitor effectiveness of the measures put in place;
  11. All institutions shall continue to engage with Parents/Guardians/Care-givers to build confidence about COVID-19 preventive and control measures that have been put in place to ensure a safe learning environment;
  12. Schools shall continue to maintain updated bio-data of all learners, staff and contacts of their Parents/Guardians/Care-givers for easy management of COVID-19 related emergencies; and
  13. This being the term for national examinations, ALL events in schools involving external persons shall remain banned.

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Read the full circular below;

[embeddoc url=”https://educationnewshub.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/MOE-SCHOOL-REOPENING-Educationnewshub.co_.ke-Press-Release-3-Jan-2021-_1_.pdf”]

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Latest guidelines on how to implement the Competency Based Curriculum at Upper Primary School level

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The Ministry of Education has released guidelines to schools on how to implement the Competency Based Curriculum, CBC, for upper primary; Grades 4, 5 and 6. According to the circular dated November 7, 2019 and written by Dr Belio Kipsang (The Education Permanent Secretary), All schools will roll out CBC in Upper Primary in January 2020 in Grade 4, followed by the roll out in Grade 5 in 2021 and Grade 6 in 2022. The Ministry has already rolled out the CBC for Early Years Education, EYE; Grade 1 to 3.

Here are the guidelines to all Primary schools; both public and private:

SUBJECT: COMPETENCY BASED CURRICULUM (CBC) ROLL OUT; IMPLEMENTATION GUIDELINES FOR UPPER PRIMARY GRADE (4,5 & 6) The Ministry of Education rolled out implementation of the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) for Early Years Education (EYE), covering Pre-Primary 1 &2 and Grades 1 to 3 vide circular Rel: MOE/CONF/G5 of 2nd January 2019. All schools will roll out CBC in Upper Primary in January 2020 in Grade 4, followed by the roll out in Grade 5 in 2021 and Grade 6 in 2022. All schools are expected to plan for the roll out in Grades 4, 5 & 6 based on the following guidelines:

  1. Time allocation and lesson distribution;

  • There shall be eight (8) lessons in a day
  • Each lesson shall be 35 minutes
  • The lesson distribution per subject will be as tabulated below:

Upper primary-Regular

S/N LEARNING AREAS LESSONS PER WEEK
1 Physical and Health Education 5
2 Mathematics 5
3 English 4
4 Kiswahili or Kenya Sign Language 4
5 Science and Technology 4
6 Social Studies 3
7 Home Science 3
8 Agriculture 3
9 CRE/ IRE/HRE 3
10 Art and Craft 2
11 Indigeneous / Foreign Languages (German/ French/Aarbic) 2
12 Music 1
13 Pastoral Program of Instruction (PPI) 1
14 Total Number of Lessons 40

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2. Intermediate Level for Special Needs Education (SNE)

This is the second level in the stage-based Competency Based Curriculum for learners with special needs who carrot follow the regular curriculum. These include learners with the following categories of disabilities:
  • Severe intellectual disability;
  • Deaf-blindness;
  • Severe autism;
  • Severe cerebral palsy;
  • Multiple impairments;
  • Profound disability.

Lesson Distribution at Intermediate Level

  • There shall be six (6) lessons in a day;
  • Each lesson shall be 35 minutes;
  • The lesson distribution per subject will be as tabulated below:
S/N LEARNING AREAS LESSONS PER WEEK
1 Communication, Social and Literacy Skills 5
2 Activities of Daily Living Skills 5
3 Religious Education 2
4 Sensory- Motor Integration 3
5 Environmental Activities 3
6 Numeracy Activities 3
7 Creative Activities; Art and Craft 2
8 Creative Activities; Music 2
9 Psycho-motor Activities 5
10 Total Lessons Per Week 30

3. Special Notes

S/N Area Remarks
1 Language Policy English shall be the language of instruction for all learning areas except for Kiswahili, Indigenous and foreign languages.
2 Other Languages The Ministry of Education in conjunction with the Teachers Service Commission will identify public primary schools that will offer foreign and indigenous languages. Detailed implementation guidelines for foreign and indigenous languages will be issued to the identified public primary schools.
3 Home Science and Agriculture These shall be allocated one theory lesson and a double lesson for practical activities.
4 Science and Technology This shall be allocated two single lessons and a double for practical activities.
5 Physical and Health Education This will be timetabled every day for each grade and be activity oriented.
6 Pastoral Programmes of Instruction Shall be handled by a responsible member of a recognized religious faith within the school community and which is legally registered in Kenya.
7 Co-Curricular Activities Are a compulsory facet of the formal curriculum and should be implemented as recommended for all learners.
8 Community Service- Learning Activities Opportunities for Community Service Learning should be appropriately mainstreamed in all learning areas. Schools are expected to ensure that all learners participate in community service activities as guided in the curriculum designs.
9 Parental Empowerment and Engagement Learning institutions should create opportunities for information sharing and involvement of parents/guardians in the implementation of CBC.
10 Values Based Education School should ensure core values are incorporated in the learning process across all the learning areas in Upper primary.
11 Teacher Professional Development All schools will timetable the last two lessons every Friday (5%) of teaching time for teacher professional development activities. During this period learners should be allowed to interact with digital devices, library work, radio and TV programmes aired by KICD.
 

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