Lubao FM News 
Kenyan education stakeholders have responded to the African Union’s call for governments and other players in the continent’s education sector to “Educate an African fit for the 21st Century: Collective Action for Quality, Inclusive and Lifelong Learning.” During a press briefing, it was highlighted that East African governments, particularly Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, are embracing competency-based education systems known as CBC. The focus is on nurturing every learner’s potential and mainstreaming values and life skills. The Action for Life Skills and Values in East Africa (ALiVE) initiative, under the Regional Learning Initiative (RELIAfrica), aims to support national education systems in focusing on competencies and informing regional policy throughout the East African Community.
ALiVE has developed a contextualized tool through a learning-through-doing approach and has produced local experts in assessment. The initiative aims to influence teacher training colleges to integrate life skills and values throughout the education journey of African learners. Through practical learning sessions, tools to assess problem-solving, collaboration, and respect have been developed and integrated into various subjects at different grade levels. A pilot of these tools was conducted in three schools in Kiambu, Kirinyaga, and Nairobi counties, with lessons drawn to inform a national assessment later in the year.
The commitment and dedication of teachers who participated in developing the assessment tools were acknowledged, as they have a crucial role in co-creating tools that will assess the integration of values and life skills in the CBC curriculum. The importance of assessing these skills was emphasized, as what is not assessed is not taught or practiced. A virtual learning session will be held to discuss the extent to which East African education systems have embedded life skills and values, in line with the African Union’s declaration of 2024 as the Year of Education. Margaret Wawira, CEO of RELI Africa, will further elaborate on the significance of this commitment during the session.
Overall, the education stakeholders in Kenya are actively working towards ensuring that learners not only acquire technical skills but also develop values and life skills to navigate the complexities of the 21st century and live meaningful lives. The collaborative efforts of ALiVE, teachers, and other partners demonstrate a united response to the African Union’s call for quality, inclusive, and lifelong learning in Africa.
