Why 2022-2023 TSC CBC training of teachers on Junior Secondary Cannot be Halted; CBC Training for Teachers 2022-2023 at a glance

Barely a month ago, members of Parliamentary Education Committee argued against upcoming TSC trainings for teachers. The April 2022 TSC teachers’ training on the new Competence-Based Curriculum, CBC is however a necessary evil since CBC learners are expected to undertake their end of primary course Examinations to be administered by the Kenya National Examinations Council, Knec come December 2022. This means that in January 2023, secondary schools in Kenya will be bursting at the seams following the double transition of primary school candidates to both junior CBC Secondary Schools and the normal 8-4-4 secondary schools. The good news is that the junior secondary schools will be independently managed.

Here are the full details on the Upcoming April 2022 CBC Training for TSC Teachers on Junior Secondary

TSC April CBC training of teachers on Junior Secondary at a glance

At least 60,000 secondary school teachers will attend the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) training in April this year.

According to the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), the tutors will be retooled in various subject areas offered under junior secondary school section.

For teachers teaching Biology and Chemistry they will be trained on how to handle Integrated Science and Health Education which are subjects offered in junior secondary school.

The content under Integrated Science section will consist of basic information on physics, chemistry and biology.

It has common elements with the current subjects such as general science. This means therefore, the current teachers of physics, chemistry and biology once retooled will comfortably handle this new content.

There is no need for a special teacher of integrated science. Students who will show interest in Integrated Science will most probably end up taking the Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) pathway in senior secondary school.

The content under Health Education will include environmental science, public health, personal hygiene and nutrition.

Currently, teachers of Biology and Home Science already teach components of Health Science.

Consequently the teachers of biology and home science only need to be retooled in order to effectively teach the subject.

For teachers teaching Physics and Mathematics they will be trained on how to handle Pre-Technical and Pre-Career Education which is a subject in junior secondary section.

Pre-technical and pre-career education will be offered in woodwork, metalwork, technical drawing, electricity, electronics, typewriting, shorthand, accounting, home management, textiles and clothing, and auto mechanics.

The technical teachers currently in some of the high schools will continue teaching this new content.

Teachers of home science and some mathematics/physics teachers will be prepared to handle the pre-technical and pre-career education preparing learners to join the CTS in senior secondary.

For teachers teaching Geography, History and CRE they will be trained on handling Social Studies in junior secondary.

Areas to be covered includes components of history, geography, governance and citizenship.

Currently, teachers of history, geography and social studies have the prerequisite knowledge to effectively teach this content.

However the April CBC training will be the first phase of the programme involving secondary school teachers.

This phase will target those teachers handling Science and Physical Education subjects.

The 60,000 teachers to be trained will be those handling Biology/Chemistry, Physics/Mathematics, and Physical Education according to a circular released by TSC CEO Dr. Nancy Macharia.

Biology and Chemistry teachers will be equipped with expertise on how to handle integrated and health science while those teaching Physics and Mathematics will be retooled to teach pre-technical and pre-vocational education.

Physical Education teachers are expected to teach Sports and Physical Education in secondary schools according to the circular.

In April, the retooling will be in form of five day face to face training while subsequent continuous learning on the new subject areas will shift online.

Venues for the programme across the country will be carefully selected to ensure teachers can easily access them.

SUBJECTS OFFERED IN JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS

Takes 3 years i.e. Grade 7, 8 and 9

Core Subjects

English

Kiswahili or Kenyan Sign Language for learners who are deaf

Mathematics

Integrated Science

Health Education

Pre-Technical and Pre-Career Education

Social Studies

Religious Education – learners choose one of the following:

i) Christian Religious Education

ii) Islamic Religious Education

iii) Hindu Religious Education

Business Studies

Agriculture

Life Skills Education

Sports and Physical Education

Optional Subjects (Minimum 1, Maximum 2)

Visual Arts

Performing Arts

Home Science

Computer Science

Foreign Languages:

i) German

ii) French

iii) Mandarin

iv) Arabic

Indigenous Languages

Kenyan Sign Language

NB: ICT will be a delivery tool for all Subjects

Junior secondary school will expose learners to a broad based curriculum to enable them to explore their own abilities, personality and potential as a basis for choosing subjects according to career paths of interest at the senior school.

Learners in junior secondary will undergo a rigorous career guidance programme and will be exposed to the related subjects to enable them make informed choices as they transit to senior school.

The subjects to be taught in junior secondary are in two categories; core and optional.

At this level, a broad based curriculum is offered to enable the learner to explore their own interests and potentials.

Core subjects at this level will include; English, Kiswahili or Kenyan Sign Language for learners who are deaf, Mathematics, Intergrated Science, Health Education, Pre-Technical and Pre-Career Education, Social Studies, Religious Education, Business Studies, Agriculture, Life Skills Education, Sports and Physical Education.

Optional subjects will include; Visual Arts (Fine Art, Photography), Performing Arts (Music, Dance), Home Science, Computer Science, Foreign Languages, Kenyan Sign Language and Indigenous Languages.

At Grade 4, learners will be introduced to the optional subjects offered at upper primary so as to make informed choices at Grade 7.