Magoha launches policy reintroducing physical education, sports in schools – KBC

Physical education and sports will be made compulsory in schools.

The government Wednesday announced plans to step up the preparedness of schools to offer physical education and sports that will be mainstreamed in all learning activities.

Speaking during the launch of the first-ever Physical Education and Sport Policy for basic education at KICD, CS Education Cabinet Secretary, Prof George Magoha said the policy is part of the ongoing education reforms that birthed the Competence-Based Curriculum (CBC) system which was rolled out last year.

Magoha revealed that the unique policy is aligned to the new system that provides arts and sport as one of the career pathways and will go a long way in promoting realisation of national goals of education.

He assured that CBC is on the right trajectory in seeking to provide a solid framework of focusing on helping learners to acquire skills and competencies.

“Therefore, as we prepare to roll out the CBC in Grade 5 in July 2021, the Government will seek to step up the preparedness of schools to offer physical education and sport. It is important to note that all the seven core competencies in CBC are achievable through physical and sport, which will play a key role in producing an engaged, empowered and ethical citizen through nurturing every learner’s potential” he said.

Magoha promised to work with all relevant ministries and departments to implement the policy.

“As a Ministry, we will work with all relevant ministries and departments to execute the President’s directive with extreme precision and success. I wish to particularly call upon the National and County governments, development partners, Faith-based organisations, Civil Society organisations and other stakeholders to support the implementation of this policy” he appealed.

He said the policy is inclusive as it addresses challenges facing learners with disabilities. “We will, therefore, address challenges facing learners with disabilities that result in their limited opportunities to participate in physical education and sport. Availability, accessibility, adaptation and inclusion of physical education and sport are important in expanding sport for learners with disabilities”.

The government last year rolled out the 2-6-6-3 curriculum and with Grade 4 learners who are still at home set to transition to Grade 5 next month.

Magoha said learning materials including textbooks have been distributed to all schools adding that printing of grade six books is on course.

CBC pathways

Under the CBC, the Government plans to have three major pathways at the Senior Secondary School Level. One of the Pathways is that of Arts and Sports Science. The others are Social Sciences and Science Technical Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

The policy document will guide the operationalisation of the Arts and Sports Science Pathway.

“It will ensure that the academies offer learners an opportunity to engage in all sports and talent areas depending on their potential and career interests” the CS noted.

Specifically, this policy seeks to achieve the following seven objectives:

• Provide the learner with knowledge, skills, values and positive attitudes through physical and sport for healthy lifestyle and lifelong learning;
• Enhance access, equity and inclusion in physical and sport for all learners;
• Provide age-appropriate interdisciplinary physical and sport to nurture learner’s talents;
• Strengthen governance, accountability and integrity in physical education and sport;
• Enhance capacity of teachers/facilitators and managers of physical and sport;
• Promote traditional sports and games to embrace cultural diversity; and
• Promote peaceful co-existence and social integration through physical education and sport.