New learning areas, staffing may pose challenge

Cup pressure peaks as Shabana host Kenya Police in blockbuster quarter-final Football

Upper Hill coach Walgwe unperturbed despite drawing giants in Prescott Cup group phase Rugby

As learners settle into the new term, schools are preparing to receive Grade 10 learners, with some expressing confidence in their readiness while others admit they are still grappling with challenges.

In Mombasa, teachers have raised concerns over new learning areas introduced under the Competency-Based Education curriculum, saying they may present teething problems.

Bhadala Senior School principal Vincent Obunga on Tuesday said some new learning areas have garnered excitement, curiosity and concern in equal measure.

“Marine Science, which we are planning to offer, has generated a lot of excitement among parents who are increasingly enquiring about it,” Obunga said.

He added that they are working on the required resources.

“Very soon, probably before the end of the year, it will be in place,” Obunga said on the first day of the primary and senior schools’ term, which coincided with the official opening of the school’s Daycare Centre.

Obunga noted that Mombasa’s location gives the school an advantage in offering Marine Science compared to non-coastal counties.

“We can always take students to the sea or to the port so that they can learn and enjoy the facilities.”

However, staffing remains a challenge.

“This curriculum is broader. Some learning areas require specialised teachers and that is one of the challenges we are facing. For example, if you want to start teaching Marine Science, where will you get those teachers?” he posed.

Obunga said they are engaging the Ministry of Education, which has advised schools to identify trained teachers and retool them to handle new learning areas.

“That is what is happening right now,” he said.

The school expects about 200 Grade 10 learners, bringing the total student population to around 600.

“We are fully prepared for Grade 10. We have already filled three classrooms and are now planning to open a fourth.”

He expressed confidence that the school’s 50 teachers will be able to handle the increased enrolment.

Junior School principal Joyce Aswani said CBE requires close monitoring of learners’ competencies.

“Core values must be imparted to learners at an early stage,” Aswani said, noting that the curriculum places emphasis not only on academic excellence but also on skills development.

She said nurturing these competencies requires a conducive learning environment.

“This is what we have here,” Aswani said.

The school has converted additional rooms into Grade 10 classrooms to accommodate the high number of applications.

“Initially, we planned for two streams, but due to the high demand, we now have four streams,” she said.

Despite the sudden influx, Aswani said the school is prepared.

“We are ready. The classes are ready, the teachers have been employed, the laboratories are set up, including the computer lab. Everything is in place for the three pathways,” she said.

At Mama Ngina Girls Senior School, chief principal Mwanahamisi Omar said the institution is preparing for a smooth transition as it prepares to receive Grade 10 learners next week.

“We have a capacity of about 450 Grade 10 learners and that is what has been allocated to us,” Omar said.

At Shimo la Tewa School, dozens of parents were seen seeking placement for their children, with some coming from as far as Tana River county.

Amina Kimuswa said her son, Rama Hamisi, had been called to Kasighau Boys School in Taita Taveta, but the family opted not to take him there due to distance.

“It is not a school he chose,” Kimuswa said.

She and her husband went to Shimo la Tewa School trying to secure a spot for their 17-year-old son.

Hamisi, who previously studied at Longo Junior Secondary School in Likoni, said he prefers Shimo la Tewa because of its reputation for quality education.

“I chose the Stem pathway because I want to become a doctor,” he said.