REPUBLIC OF KENYA
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
STATE DEPARTMENT FOR BASIC EDUCATION
GUIDELINES FOR TIMETABLING AND ROUTINE IN SENIOR SCHOOL
- Introduction
Developing an effective timetable and daily routine is essential for fostering a productive learning environment where both learners and educators can interact to achieve intended learning outcomes. A well-structured timetable not only ensures that all learning areas are covered comprehensively but also promotes implementation of balanced academic and co-curricular activities. These guidelines outline procedure for developing timetables that optimize utilization of time, teaching and learning experiences, enhance student engagement, and support the achievement of overall educational goals in institutions of learning.
Timetabling process
- All schools shall establish a time tabling committee comprising of the following:
- Deputy Head of the institution – Chair person
- Senior Masters in charge of pathways
- Heads of subjects
- Class Teachers of grades 10,11&12.
- The timetabling committee shall hold planning meetings at the beginning of every term to develop or review the school timetable.
- The timetable shall be presented to the Head of Institution for approval
- The approved timetable shall be displayed in all administrative offices, classes, laboratories and notice boards.
- Every teacher shall extract their respective timetable for use in implementing the curriculum.
2.1 Timetabling guidelines for Senior School (grade 10,11 and 12).
- There shall be 8 lessons per day derived from the core, optional and support subjects.
- PE shall have 3 lessons per week, ICT, 2 lessons per week, while lesson Study and P/RPI one (1) lesson per week
- Cumulatively there shall be a total number of 40 lessons per week.
- Each lesson shall be 40 minutes.
- Reporting time for grade 10, 11 and 12 in senior schools shall be at 8.00 am.
- The Lessons at this level shall start at 8.20 am and end at 3.20 pm.
- The time between 8.00 am and 8.20 am shall be utilized for roll call, assembly and or house/class meetings where applicable.
- When plotting lessons on the timetable, the committee shall ensure that subjects with similar skills, knowledge or concepts do not follow one another.
- Plotting of lessons shall observe balance in distribution of subjects for morning and afternoon hours across the week.
- All core subjects(English, Kiswahili/KSL, core mathematics/essential mathematics and CSL) shall be plotted as single lessons.
- Support subjects (PE, ICT) shall be plotted as single subjects.
- There shall be only one double lesson for Arts & Sports science and STEM subjects.
- Non-formal programmes shall be plotted on the timetable after the last lesson at 3.20 pm.
- Health breaks shall be provided after every two lessons where the first break shall be 10 minutes, the second one 30 minutes and lunch break of one hour.
Plotting of lessons shall adhere to the allocation per subject as tabulated below.
| Subjects | No. of Lessons per week (40 minutes per lesson) |
| Core Subjects (4) | |
| 1. English | 5 |
| 2. Kiswahili | 5 |
| 3. Essential mathematics/ Mathematics | 5 |
| 4. Community Service Learning (CSL) | 3 |
| Elective Subjects | |
| 5. Option 1 | 5 |
| 6. Option 2 | 5 |
| 7. Option 3 | 5 |
| Support Subjects | |
| *Physical Education (PE) | 3 |
| *Information communication Technology (ICT) | 2 |
| *Pastoral/Religious Programme Instruction | 1 |
| *Learner personal/Group Study | 1 |
| Total number of lessons | 40 |
ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE
- Curriculum
The subjects plotted on the timetable shall be derived from the KICD approved curriculum designs.
- Daily routine
The daily routine shall be provided for as in the Basic Education Regulations,2015. Part VIII, Section 84as follows;
-
Dayschools;
The official operating hours for all public and private institutions shall be Monday to Friday.
- No day institution of basic education and training shall require learners to report earlier than 7.15 am.
- Class hours shall be from 8.00 am to 3.30 pm.Monday to Friday
- Co-curricular activities shall be from 3.30 pm to 4.45 pm.Monday to Friday
-
Boardingschools;
All basic education institutions with boarding facilities shall operate 24/7-hour basis as follows:
- Class hours shall be from 8.00 am to 3.30 pm. Monday to Friday
- Co-curricular activities shall be from 3.30 pm to 4.45 pm.Monday to Friday
- Self-directed activities shall be from 5.00 pm to 7.30 pm.Monday to Friday
- Prep shall be from 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm. Monday to Friday
- Bed time shall be 9.30 pm to 6.00 am.Monday to Friday
- Supervised routine activities shall be from 6.00 am to 8.00 am.
- No boarding institution shall send away an unaccompanied learner later than 9.00 am
- The latest reporting time for learners in boarding institution shall be 5.00 pm.
- Arts & Sports science, STEMand Physical Education
Arts & Sports science and Physical Education (PE) lessons shall be plotted before a breakto allow learners adequate time to prepare for the next lesson.
- Plotting of lessons on the time table
When plotting lessons on the timetable, the committee shall ensure that subjects with similar skills, knowledge or concepts do not follow one another. This enhances the learner’s interest and reduces monotony in skill, concept and knowledge acquisition.
- Exceptions
In geographical locations that experience extreme temperatures, the time table start and end timesshall be adjusted so long as the requisite contact hours for learners are maintained.
- Pastoral/Religious programmes of instruction
The P/RPI lessons shall be handled by a responsible member of a recognized and legally registered religious faith.
- Parental Empowerment and Engagement
Learning institutions should create opportunities for information sharing and involvement of parents/guardians in the implementation of curriculum.
- Non-formal activities
The timetable committee shall plot specified non-formal programmes after class activities as from 3.20 to 4.45 pm. This includes but not limited to; games, clubs and societies, guidance and counselling and community service learning,
