The Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms on Wednesday, June 7, implored President William Ruto to scrap the categorisation of secondary schools.
In its proposal, the task force advised Ruto to do away with schools being classified as national, extra county, county, and sub-county schools.
Under the Competency-Based Curriculum, the task force wants secondary schools to be categorised under the career pathway of learners. Students would thus choose schools based on the subjects offered and their dream careers.
The Working Party, led by Raphael Munavu, also proposed that the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) be renamed Kenya National Assessment Council (KNAC).
The working party also recommended the choice of subjects shifted with the Ministry of Education urged to reduce the subjects for Junior Secondary School students.
Besides reducing mandatory subjects and giving learners leeway to pick more optional subjects, the Working Party is also pushing the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) to rationalise the number of learning areas in Junior High Schools.
Currently, students in Junior High School are expected to study 14 subjects.
Proposed Changes to University
The Working Party also implored the Ministry of Education to align the Competency-Based Curriculum with the University learning systems fully.
In the proposed changes, they want universities limited from offering diploma and certificate courses. If the changes are to be approved by President William Ruto, the recruitment of Vice Chancellors and their deputies will be shifted from the Public Service Commission (PSC) to the University Councils. Ruto will then confirm the appointments as advised by the councils.
Besides changing the recruitment of Vice Chancellors, other changes proposed to University systems included changing the election of student council leaders. Currently, student council leaders are elected after one year, while in the proposed reforms, they want the elections held after two years.
If approved, the recruitment of Deans would be done competitively.
Nursery Teachers
Nursery teachers were also factored in the recommended changes. The Working Party advised the Ministry of Education to transfer the appointment of nursery teachers from county governments to the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
If approved by President Ruto, the new changes would alter the education system, which faced opposition from some stakeholders.
Ruto appointed the Working Party on Education Reform through a Kenya Gazette Notice on September 29, 2022, with Raphael Munavu as its chairperson.
“The government will look at the issues raised holistically and ensure that the CBC works,” Ruto pledged after constituting the team.
