Basic Education Principal Secretary Prof. Julius Bitok has said the government recognises and supports Arts and Sports Sciences owing to the important role Co-Curricular activities play in the lives of learners and teacher trainees.
Prof Bitok stated that participation in Arts and Sports Sciences is a vital foundation for academic excellence, discipline, resilience, and the promotion of healthy lifestyles.
He added that it also offers learners a valuable opportunity to build social skills, embrace teamwork, and foster character development.
PS called on schools, parents, and the general public to celebrate and support learners who are passionate about the Arts and Sports academic pathway, under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) education reforms.
Speaking in his Jogoo Office in Nairobi, the Principal Secretary expressed gratitude to the National Government under President Dr. William Ruto, the Sports Fund, Brookside, and other partners for their support—both financial and in-kind—towards the ongoing national sporting and arts tournaments.
He noted that the support has significantly enhanced participation, boosted morale, and contributed to fostering academic excellence in schools.
Prof. Bitok called for more partnerships, especially in special needs activities, aimed at promoting equity, inclusivity and holistic development among learners in general.
The PS observed that arts and sports are platforms for students to showcase their talents in various Co-Curricular activities, with the potential of shaping careers in the field through harnessing talent in various disciplines.
“In the spirit of nurturing sports and the Arts which is a pathway under CBC Arts and Sports sciences, I call upon patriotic Kenyans and sports enthusiasts to be at the forefront in the collective efforts to invest in and support learners, which will ultimately boost their confidence and morale to carry on with the Kenyan sporting heroic culture,” he said.
The National level championship competitions, which involve a wide range of Arts and sporting activities, are taking place in different regions in the country at different dates, having begun with teacher training colleges at Kababii Teachers Training College in Bungoma County, paving way for learners in pre-primary, Primary, junior School and Senior Schools activities.
The glamorous Drama and Film Festivals are scheduled for between April 7- 19 at Afraha High School in Nakuru County, which will culminate in State Concert on 18th April.
Other activities include Secondary schools’ special sports that are taking place at Shanzu Teachers Training College and Sahajanand special school in Mombasa between April 5-13 this year.
At the same time, secondary school sports, primary school athletics, primary school special athletics, and junior schools will take place from 6 to 12 April 2025 in Mombasa, while the Kenya Science engineering fair will take place at Kangaru High School in Embu County on the same dates.
The sports feature Rugby 15s, Athletics, Basketball 5X5, Hockey, Handball, Cross Country, Swimming competitions, Athletics, Gymnastics, Paralympics, Goal ball and Ball games.
The PS further reiterated transport safety as a priority, urging drivers to exercise caution while ferrying learners and other participants to and from the various destinations during the entire duration of activities.
By Joseph Kamolo Mutua
