This archive report was first published on 17 November 2019.
As the deadline to deliver Grade Four textbooks approaches, publishers are racing against time to meet the demand. According to the Ministry of Education, 10.6 million textbooks had been printed by November 16, leaving only 3.2 million books to be printed out of a total of 13.4 million required.
The textbooks are being printed by seven publishers, with the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development Chief Executive Office, Julius Jwan, urging them to expedite the process to ensure timely delivery. Jwan had met with publishers last month to discuss the importance of meeting the deadline.
Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha had earlier assured that all textbooks would be available in time for the rollout of Grade Four in January next year. The Competency Based Curriculum is being implemented in phases, starting with PP1 and PP2, and Grades 1, 2, and 3 learners.
Among the publishers that have had their books approved for use in the Orange Book, a guide that lists approved course books and instructional materials, are Oxford, Longhorn, and Kenya Literature Bureau, with six titles each. The Orange Book is a comprehensive guide that provides a list of approved materials for use in all learning areas for Early Years Education.
“The quality of the learning materials must be above board and let publishers adhere to the Ministry of Education guidelines,” Jwan said in a statement.
