This archive report was first published on 7 August 2019.
Kenya: Technological Hitches, Lack of Clarity Hit Grade 3 Assessment ¶
Published on August 7, 2019
Technological hitches, lack of clarity, and inadequate training of teachers have slowed down the registration of students and administering of the first Kenya Early Years Assessment (KEYA) for Grade Three learners, a spot check by Nation across the country shows.
Private schools seem to fare better than public schools in the national assessment, a new component of the competency-based curriculum (CBC), further widening the gap in academic performance between the two categories of schools.
Head teachers from Nakuru County expressed concern that they have had trouble getting birth certificates of learners whose parents were either separated or divorced, making it difficult to ascertain their age and the correct order of names.
"Some parents are yet to furnish us with birth documents," said Mr Nicholas Mungai, the head teacher of Kabazi Primary School in Subukia Constituency.
Teachers in some schools have not been trained on how to conduct the assessment, while others have difficulty accessing National Education Management Information System data through the Grade 3 portal on the Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec) website.
At Jacaranda Academy in Nyalenda Estate, Kisumu, the head teacher, Mr Emmanuel Andati, noted that some parents did not help their children to improvise tools like brooms, rakes, and dustpans, which they needed to clean Kilo Market, as demanded by the curriculum.
Some schools have not begun the standardised assessment developed by Knec, while others have registered all their learners but are waiting for teachers' training to be completed.
At St Kizito Primary School in Isiolo County, two teachers, one trained and the other untrained, handle 120 learners, and they do not have assessment materials, with many of the tablets being faulty and not updated.
Most of the teachers who spoke to the Nation said they had no idea how the assessment will be conducted, so they don't know how to prepare the learners.
However, some schools have reported good progress, with all learners at Alber School Kutus in Kirinyaga County registered, and parents eager to see their children assessed.
At Nyali Primary School in Mombasa County, all 115 learners have been registered, while at Mary Cliff Primary, 31 learners have been registered.
By Victor Raballa, George Odiwuor, Francis Mureithi, Siago Cece, Eunice Murathe, Alex Njeru, Gitonga Marete, Regina Kinogu, Waweru Wairimu, George Munene, Manse Otsialo, and Stanley Kimuge
