Education Ministry Rejects Proposal To Incorporate Chess In CBCA Senate proposal to incorporate chess games into the educational system may fail.Senators’ proposal to include chess as an extracurricular activity in the curriculum was rejected by the Ministry of Education.Despite the Committee on Education’s recommendation that chess be introduced as an extracurricular activity, several stakeholders raised concerns that must be addressed.The report states that Chess Kenya Federation should capitalize on the collaborative engagement established during the petition’s processing.Chess is not one of the core subjects to be studied under the Competency-Based Curriculum, according to the ministry led by George Magoha.The ministry stated in written submissions to the Senate that there is no budget allocation to include the game.The ministry must allocate more funds and resources to the development of a new game for inclusion in the curriculum.The ministry also stated that there are insufficient resources to add a new game to the already overflowing games and sports ministry calendar.The committee, led by Senator Alice Milgo, was informed, however, that the ministry is available for engagements.In terms of teacher training, the Teachers Service Commission stated that Physical Education is already a component of CBC.PE and sports are required subjects in junior secondary, while Arts and Sports Science are available in senior secondary.However, if the game is included, the commission is open to having teachers with chess knowledge teach their colleagues.“TSC informed the committee that it does not have a direct legal mandate over the subject matter under deliberation,” the report reads.The CKF was advised to consult with TSC if there were any plans to train teachers in the game of chess. According to the commission, this will determine whether the training is responding to Teacher Professional Development.“The mandate to introduce subjects is vested in the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development,” the report reads.According to the curriculum developer, there is already provision for learners to choose from a wide range of games. Students can choose from a variety of indoor games, such as chess, scrabble, and others, based on their interests.“Teachers of PE are trained broadly in all games and have the capacity to facilitate learner engagement in different indoor games,” the report reads.KICD, which is in charge of developing curriculum and supporting materials, is currently running two curricula.ALSO READ: Learners in the phased-out 8-4-4 system and those in CBC are in Grade 6.The petitioners, Fred Sagwe and other teachers, had asked senators to compel the Education Ministry to include chess in the curriculum.CKF submitted memoranda to KICD in 2016 with the same concerns, but the efforts were futile.Education Ministry Rejects Proposal To Incorporate Chess In CBC