The Director of the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD), Charles Ongondo, has appealed to secondary schools to share laboratory facilities with Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) within their neighbourhoods.
Ong’ondo said many Junior Secondary Schools in the country lack laboratories for pupils to undertake practicals.
The Director said plans were underway to construct integrated learning resource centres in all Primary Schools to aid the JSS learners in taking their practical lessons.
“The government is planning to construct laboratories in each primary school besides the 16,000 grade 9 classrooms it launched recently,” he said.
Ongondo made the remarks over the weekend when he presided over education day for Rachuonyo North Sub County at Gendia Secondary School in Karachuonyo constituency.
He said the government is going to provide mobile laboratories to primary schools, which are far away from secondary schools.
The laboratories are equipped to offer science equipment for practical use to the learners.
Among those who graced the event were Karachuonyo Member of Parliament Adipo Okuome and Homa Bay Director of Education Eunice Khamemba.
Ong’ondo said the government is keen on implementing the new curriculum to ensure it achieves its objectives.
“The CBC has fully incorporated informal activities such as drama, games, and music, among others. There is also parental engagement and empowerment,” he added.
Okuome urged the Ministry of Education to step up the sensitization of citizens to the new curriculum, noting that many Kenyans still do not understand it.
The legislator said the implementation of the new curriculum will turn youths from job seekers into job creators.
“The new system is practical-based and promotes self-employment, which is significant for the youth,” Okuome said.
By Davis Langat
