After 32 years of the 8-4-4 curriculum, the new 2-6-3-3-3 curriculum rolled out early in January 2019. Its goal is to provide quality education and training policies for all. It aims to improve access, quality, relevance and equity in line with international, regional and national policies, as well as legal commitments, and move us closer towards our education for all goals. It also aims to ensure that all learners acquire competencies and qualifications capable of promoting national values, inspiring individual innovation and life-long learning; and that learners are not unnecessarily delayed at any level of education.
The curriculum hopes to fix the gaps left by 8-4-4 according to the team, and put more emphasis on practical and vocational education, nurturing of talents, inclusion of critical life skills and de-emphasize the focus on the cognitive domain. We're joined by Angela Kabari, co-founder of the life skills program School Series, to discuss the curriculum and its implementation. Press play!
Resources
Basic Education Curriculum Framework
SNE Competency Based Curriculum Support Materials
Basic Education Statistical Booklet
Addendum to the Orange Book on Competency Based Curriculum
On 20th January 2019, we found out that while we were busy enjoying our holidays, Uhuru Kenyatta was busy passing new laws, and changes to old ones through a Miscellaneous Amendment Act. One of the most controversial amendments was the one to the Registration of Persons Act, which added new requirements for both location data (such as GPS coordinates) and biometric data (such as DNA). This comes up after the attack on 14 Riverside, and it is said that it’s for crime fighting purposes, especially now that terrorism is a key concern.
We’re joined by Mercy Mutemi, an advocate of the high court who specializes in Internet law and policy advisory, to discuss the legal, human rights and ethical implications of this amendment. Press play!
Resources
Uhuru backs law change to start listing of Kenyans’ DNA
Gov’t to collect your DNA, more personal info in new registration system
Uhuru assents to seven Bills including one to revamp NYS
Uhuru signs law to reform scandal-ridden youth service
The Registration of Persons Act (before amendment)
The Statute Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act, 2018
State to partner with Israeli firm to create online database of Kenyans
EDAPS introduces biometric portal in Kenya
In Kenya, Communications Surveillance Is A Matter of Life and Death
India: Identification Project Threatens Rights
210 govt websites had made Aadhaar details public: UIDAI
Rs 500, 10 minutes, and you have access to billion Aadhaar details
By making Aadhaar mandatory, Delhi’s government schools are shutting their doors to migrant children
How India's Welfare Revolution Is Starving Citizens
From Fingerprints to DNA: Biometric Data Collection in U.S. Immigrant Communities and Beyond
Episode 23: Fascism is The New Black
Episode 47: Digital Citizenship in the Silicon Savannah
In the aftermath of the attack on 14th Riverside on 15th January 2019, many citizens asked how they could help ease the situation, as well as assist the victims of the disaster. Today we’re joined by Naomi Mutua, a digital PR specialist and a citizen responder who has been at the front-lines of organizing responses to crises, to discuss this. Press play!
Resources
How to prepare for emergencies
Community Preparedness and Risk Reduction
The Constitution of Kenya (2010) in Article 8 states that there shall be no state religion. Yet, our national anthem, one of our national symbols (listed in Article 9), begins with “Eh Mungu Nguvu Yetu,” or “Oh God of all creation.” The preamble to the constitution states that “We, the people of Kenya – Acknowledging the supremacy of the Almighty God of all creation honour..."
We’re joined by Elizabeth Kabari, an advocate of the High Court and consultant, to talk about separation of church and state in Kenya, and the seeming contradictions and what they mean for us as Kenyans.
Resources
The Constitution of Kenya (2010)
The Constitution of Kenya (2001)
The Constitution of Kenya (1963)
Jesse Kamau & 25 others v Attorney General [2010]
The Ubiquity of Religion in Kenya
It's rule of law, not religion, that protects human rights in Kenya