Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu recently made an important announcement regarding the commencement of the 2024 school year in Kenya. According to Machogu, the Early Childhood Development, primary, and secondary schools will begin their academic activities on January 8.
However, Form One students will have a slightly delayed start, commencing their classes on January 15. In preparation for the upcoming academic calendar, the Ministry of Education has issued instructions to its field officers to assist parents in getting ready for the new school year.
During his announcement, Machogu emphasized the crucial role of parents in guiding their children. He particularly highlighted the issue of drug and substance abuse, which remains a concern in certain regions. Machogu urged guardians to be vigilant and ready their children for the challenges of the upcoming school year.
In addition to discussing parental responsibilities, the Ministry of Education revealed changes to the Competency- Based Curriculum (CBC) based on recommendations from the Presidential Working Party. These modifications include reducing the number of subjects in the lower primary level from nine to seven, in the upper primary level from ten to eight, and in the Junior Secondary School (JSS) level from fourteen to nine. Furthermore, the optional learning areas in JSS have been eliminated, resulting in a reduction of weekly lessons from 45 to 41.
The objective behind these curriculum alterations, which will take effect in January 2024, is to refine the educational structure and enhance the learning experiences of students across the country. The Ministry’ s announcements encompass not only the term start dates but also the importance of parental guidance during holidays and the significant adjustments made to the curriculum. These initiatives are aligned with the government’ s ongoing efforts to optimize the education system and provide quality education to all learners.
By Newsmedia