Govt Urged to Embrace Curriculum Rooted in Values for Quality Education
The first Assessment of Life Skills and Values Conference in East Africa (ALiVE) was recently launched in Nairobi, gathering participants from more than 10 African countries.
The conference aims to create momentum for assessing core competencies and values in the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC).
With a focus on instilling value and life skills in learners, the event highlights the importance of holistic education and equipping students with the skills to navigate an ever-changing world.
Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Ezekiel Machogu emphasized the significance of inculcating values and life skills in learners.
These skills are essential not only for job success but also for academic achievement and overall development.
CS Machogu stressed the need for African education systems to integrate value and life skills into their curricula, as research consistently demonstrates their crucial role in preparing students for the challenges they may face in life.
In Kenya, the training for the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) includes retooling teachers to assess life values and skills for learners.
As part of ongoing education reforms, the CBC prioritizes the development and evaluation of life skills among students.
By incorporating these skills into the curriculum, the aim is to provide a well-rounded education that prepares learners for their future roles in society.
Emphasizing Values and Life Skills in Zanzibar
Minister for Education, Zanzibar, Lela Mohammed underscored the importance of values and life skills in the curriculum.
The Zanzibar government has established a Task Force to review education, with a particular focus on incorporating values and life skills as fundamental components of schooling.
This commitment reflects the recognition that values and life skills contribute significantly to students’ personal and academic growth.
The ALiVE Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda Regional Report 2023, unveiled at the conference, revealed significant challenges in life skills among adolescents in the region.
The findings indicated that one-third of adolescents struggle with problem recognition and finding solutions, while nearly half show the ability to acknowledge problems from different perspectives and take action.
However, approximately 37% lack insight into how emotions impact behavior and remain unaware of others’ feelings.
Progress in Emotional Management and Conflict Resolution
Despite the challenges, the report indicated positive developments in emotional management and conflict resolution skills.
About 49% of adolescents demonstrated some level of emotional control, while 14% exhibited advanced emotional management skills, including empathy towards others’ emotions.
Furthermore, a considerable proportion of adolescents (34%) showed awareness of inappropriate behavior and took steps to address it, highlighting their understanding of respect for themselves and others.
The report also revealed that during discussions and performance tasks, a significant number of adolescents (45%) chose to observe silently without actively participating through words or actions
. This finding emphasizes the importance of fostering active participation and collaboration among students to enhance their engagement and learning experience.
Govt Urged to Embrace Curriculum Rooted in Values for Quality Education
