Government Releases New Junior Secondary School Syllabus
The curriculum for junior secondary students, which starts in January of the following year when schools reopen, has been made public by the government.
Lydia Kadima 
Given the growing popularity of digital financial services, the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) and the Competency Authority of Kenya note that the consumer rights curriculum for students in Grade Seven is essential.
“Effective January 2023, concepts relating to the two disciplines will be taught in subjects such as Home Science and Business Studies, thereby benefiting over 1.2m learners transitioning to Junior Secondary,” read part of the statement.
As part of the Junior Secondary learning area clusters, which were also announced by the government, teachers of English, Mathematics, and Pre-technical studies will each have five classes per week. While social studies and foreign languages are taught in three weekly courses, Kiswahili and integrated science will be taught four times.
Virtual/Performance Arts, Business/Computer Studies, Physical Education and Sports, Health Education, and Religious Education will all be taught twice a week, whereas Life Skills Education will only be offered once. The message further stated that the JS will distribute lessons over 20 subjects.
“In 2024 and 2025, the same concepts will be taught in at least 20 subjects at Grade 8 and 9 respectively and thereafter in over 30 subjects at Senior Secondary Grade 10, 11 and 12,” read the statement.
According to the universities, the courses are designed to give students marketable skills for the workforce.
“The objective of this partnership with the KICD is to prepare and impart young citizens with the capacity to make informed consumer choices at adulthood, especially when faced with different products and services due to increased competition and market complexities.”
According to CAK Director General Wang'ombe Kariuki it is vital to instill competencies in students at a young age.
“This is informed by emerging realities, especially in digital financial services. Consumer-related issues affect us all irrespective of age,” Kariuki said.
