KICD Director Leads Curriculum Development Initiative and Tree Planting Campaign at Eldoret National Polytechnic

In a significant educational endeavor, Eldoret National Polytechnic welcomed Prof. Charles Ochieng’ Ong’ondo, the Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD), as he spearheaded a national exercise relating to curriculum development.

Alongside this initiative, a tree planting exercise was organized, aiming to plant over one thousand trees across various locations.

Prof. Ong’ondo highlighted the collaborative efforts of the Ministry of Education, the Directorate of Quality Assurance, and KICD in evaluating and assuring the quality of educational materials, particularly books for primary and junior school levels. This initiative stemmed from a presidential working party’s review of learning areas, recommending adjustments to the curriculum to enhance educational outcomes.

Addressing the transparency of the evaluation process, Prof. Ong’ondo emphasized the involvement of approximately 800 teachers from across the country in evaluating about 400 manuscripts provided by various publishers.

“ The evaluated books are scheduled for distribution between September and October, ensuring availability for learners by January of the following year,” he said.

Furthermore, Prof. Ong’ondo highlighted the commitment of KICD to environmental sustainability, aligning with a presidential directive to plant 15 billion trees within ten years. KICD has set a target of 50,000 trees for the current year, with recent plantings including 26,000 trees during the drama festivals and an additional 2,000 at Eldoret National Polytechnic.

“The Ministry of Education and KICD have also prioritized public awareness and capacity building regarding the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). Efforts include engaging the National Parents Association and launching county dialogues from May onwards to explain the transition process for learners at junior and senior school levels,” he noted.

In a unique initiative, the Ministry of Education and KICD will distribute close to 9 million books to students across the country, ensuring a one-to-one ratio of books to students, a significant step towards enhancing access to quality education nationwide.

“Kenyans are encouraged to access further information on the Ministry of Education and KICD’s website,” he said.

Charles Koech, the Chief Principal, expressed his gratitude for Prof. Ong’ondo’s visit and the opportunity to collaborate on such a meaningful endeavor.

He reiterated the polytechnic’s commitment to not only academic excellence but also to instilling values of environmental responsibility among its students and the wider community.

“The aim was ambitious: to plant over one thousand trees as a symbol of environmental stewardship and sustainability. Two local primary schools, Racecourse Primary and Hill School Primary, were identified as planting sites, further cementing the event’s community engagement aspect,” he said.