The junior secondary will be rolled out in January next year under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
This is after the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) inaugurated a training program of 60,000 on and Competency-Based Assessment for Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) teachers in both public and private schools.
The commission’s executive Nancy Macharia, announced early this week that the program will train six instructors from each school across the country.
The training will take place at central venues at the county and sub-county levels, with both face-to-face and online delivery options.
Macharia made the statements as she asked instructors to pay extra attention to JSS students next year and provide psychosocial support, citing the fact that they are younger than the previous cohort of JSS students who entered secondary school under the 8-4-4 system.
“During this first phase of training, we will involve 60,000 teachers drawn from both public and private secondary schools, including special needs institutions,” she said.
The TSC’s executive director stated that the training is aimed at instructors in all courses. Six instructors will be chosen from each secondary school’s subject areas, which will be grouped into departments.
Teachers are also receiving training on the Kenya National Examinations Council’s competency-based exams.
“I must emphasize that this is just one of many teacher training sessions that we will hold to ensure that all of our personnel are equipped with the necessary abilities to handle the CBC,” Macharia said.
Teachers are encouraged to transition from the traditional form of teaching, in which the teacher stands in front of the class and lectures, to joining learner groups and holding conversations after the training, according to Macharia.
Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association chairperson, Indimuli Kahi said all secondary schools are ready for the training.
“This particular training is what will enable teachers to assist the learners identify what career path they will need to pursue in senior secondary and after,” he said.