By Eddah Waithaka
East African governments, particularly Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, are in a race to adopt competency-based education systems, known here in Kenya as CBC.
The Competency Based Curriculum seeks to develop the potential of every learner while also emphasizing values and life skills. However, there has been a lack of integration and measurement of these important aspects, particularly in the East African region.
This initiative aims to enhance the potential of all learners by highlighting the importance of values and life skills, with a particular focus on the East African region.
However, there has been a notable absence of integration and evaluation in these critical areas. The objective is to assist the four national education systems in emphasizing competencies, shaping regional policies within the East African Community, and advancing global understanding of measuring life skills and values within specific contexts..
Action for Life Skills and Values in East Africa (ALiVE) aims to enhance zing competencies, influence regional policies within the East African Community, and promote global understanding of measuring life skills and values in specific contexts.
ALiVE is a project under the umbrella of the Regional Learning Initiative (RELIAfrica) with the goal of equipping the younger generation with the necessary skills to thrive in today’s complex world and lead fulfilling lives.
In a press statement released on 28th of February, 2024, ALIVE has developed a contextualized tool via a learning-through-doing approach.
So far, the organization has produced 47 local experts in assessment, developed assessment tool targeting learners aged between 6-17 years in the areas of life skills and values and also influence approaches in teacher training colleges to ensure that life skills and values are integrated through the entire education journey of the African learner.
Additionally, the organization has also rolled into action that is not a time to complain about what is not working in CBC, rather it is a time to unite and make it work for the better of our learners.
“We have therefore committed to developing resources which will help to produce a whole learner who is not only equipped with technical skills but also armed with values and life skills that can help them lead meaningful lives and fit well in the society,” the press statement read.
In November and December 2002, Zizi Afrique Foundation convened a group of teachers from 6 counties to learn from Prof. Esther Care, a renowned expert in the measurement of core competencies and values. Over the course of two months, the teachers went through a 7-module practical learning session on the development of tools to assess core competencies and values among 6-12 year old learners.
As a result of this process, the educators have created assessment tools for problem-solving, collaboration, and respect. These tools have been implemented in Grade 3 Environmental Activities, Grade 5 Science and Social Studies, and Grade 7 Integrated Science, Social Studies, Creative Arts, and Sports. After undergoing revisions based on Think Aloud/Cognitive laboratories, these tools are now prepared to be utilized with students for testing purposes.
On 27 February, ALIVE conducted the first pilot of the tools in three schools: Kamihindu and Ngurubani Westlands Primary Schools in Kiambu, Kirinyaga and Nairobi counties respectively. Lessons learned from the pilot will inform the design of the national assessment to be conducted later this year.
“We understand that some of the skills have been difficult to assess. We also know that what is not assessed is not taught or practiced, and that is where we come in. We urge teachers and schools across Kenya to adapt the tools we are churning out and to be able to continually co- create with us. This is one action amongst many that we are investing in,” read the statement.
Also Read: https://switchmedianews.wordpress.com/2024/02/28/kenyas-agriculture-sector-supporting-25-million-livelihoods-and-driving-national-gdp-growth/
