The Cradle of Knowledge: African Journal of Educational and Social Science Research
From Co-Curricular to Core Curricular: Implications of Sports as An Academic and Career Pathway in the New Kenyan Curriculum Reform
Abstract
Sport is a major enhancer of economic and social development of individuals and nations. Many young people have risen to stardom, affluence and influence, as well as contributed to development of their nations through pursuit of sporting careers. Yet in most African countries, the scope of this achievement in sports as a career pathway still remains curtailed by the perception of sports as a co-curricular activity that only complements the regular curriculum in school. However, the new Kenyan curriculum reform as enshrined in Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) has re-defined sports to become an academic and career pathway. The purpose of this paper therefore is to examine the implications of this shift of sports from being a co-curricular activity in schools, to becoming a core and integral academic and career pathway. The paper reviews the history and current status of PE in Kenyan curriculum, examines the new curriculum reform, discusses the significance of sports as a career pathway and finally shows the implications of the reform. The methodology used included document analysis and retrospective analysis and synthesis of scientific literature. The paper finds that there is a general attitude of indifference towards sports and PE in schools, it has been given less priority, and most PE and sports departments grapple with inadequate funding and deficiency of essential resources. In order to effectively launch the trajectory of sports as a career pathway in curriculum, the paper recommends the necessity of a societal paradigm shift, government’s preparedness and multi-sectoral partnerships that can create synergies among the relevant stakeholders in Education and Sports. The need for the government to strategically position the Kenya Academy of Sports as an entity to professionalize sport talent development towards realization of the Sports Pathway also advised.
Keywords: Sports, Career pathway, Curriculum, Paradigm Shift
Full Text:
PDFReferences
Acosta, I. C., & Acosta, A. S. (2017). A Mixed Methods Study on Teachers' Perceptions of
Readiness of Higher Education Institutions to the Implementation of the K-12 Curriculum. Universal Journal of Educational Research, 5, 1215-1232.
African Union (2008). Second Session of the African Union Conference of Ministers of Sport 10-
October 2008 Accra, Ghana.
Anderson-Butcher, D., Fox, J., Davis, J., Moore, S., Henderson, T., & Magier, E. (2018). Learning
in Fitness and Education through Sports at The Ohio State University (LiFEsports): Partnerships Providing Sustainability to Youth Programming. [Google Scholar]
Bailey, R. (2005). Evaluating the relationship between physical education, sport and social
inclusion. Educational review, 57, 71-90. [Google Scholar]
Cola, G. D. (2006). Beyond the scoreboard: youth employment opportunities and skills
development in the sports sector. International labour office. [Google Scholar]
Coates, D., & Humphreys, B. R. (2003). The effect of professional sports on earnings and
employment in the services and retail sectors in US cities. Regional Science and Urban Economics, 33, 175-198.
Currie, J. (2016). Using sporting themes to engage young males in health education lessons.
Education and Health,34,25-30.
Esau, H., & Mpofu, J. (2017). The Preparedness of Primary Schools to Implement the Grade 3
New Curriculum in Zimbabwe: Case Study of Bulawayo Metropolitan Primary Schools. European Journal of Social Sciences Studies,2, 104-116.
Fraile, L. (2017). The feasibility and possible benefits of indoor games in primary school.
[Google Scholar]
Green, K. (2003). Physical Education teachers on Physical Education. A sociological Study of
philosophies and ideologies. London: Chester academics.
Gitonga, E. R., Andanje, M., Wanderi, P. W., & Bailasha, N. (2012). Teacher- trainees’ attitudes
towards PE in Kenya. Educational Research and Reviews, 10, 40-45
Holt, N. L.; Strean, W.B., & García, E. (2002). Expanding the Teaching Games for Understanding
Model: New avenues for future research and practice. Journal of Teaching in PE, 21, 162-176.
Hoogkamer, W., Snyder, K. L., & Arellano, C. J. (2019). Reflecting on Eliud Kipchoge’s marathon
world record: an update to our model of cooperative drafting and its potential for a sub-2-hour performance. Sports Medicine, 49, 167-170.
Houlihan, B., & Lindsey, I. (2008). Networks and partnerships in sports development.
Management of sports development, 225-241.
Kahiga, R. M. (2018). Preschools Stakeholders’ Perceptions of Relevance of PE
and Implementation of its Programme in Nairobi and Nyeri Counties, Kenya (Doctoral dissertation, University of Nairobi). [Google Scholar]
Kariuki, M. P. (2017). Attitude and Practice of Primary School Pupils, Teachers and Head
Teachers in Physical Education in Kiambu County, Kenya (Doctoral Dissertation, Kenyatta University). [Google Scholar]
Kipchumba B., & Jepkorir R. C. (2015) Sports policy in Kenya: deconstruction of colonial and
post-colonial conditions, International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics, 7, 301-313, DOI: 10.1080/19406940.2015.1023823
Kipng’etich Kirui, E. J., & Osman, A. (2016). An Assessment of the Qualification of Teachers of
PE and Sports in Public Secondary Schools in Bomet County, Kenya. European Journal of Research and Reflection in Educational Sciences, 4, 8-17
Likoko, S., Mutsotso, S., & Nasongo, J. (2013). The adequacy of instructional materials and
physical facilities and their effects on quality of teacher preparation in emerging private primary teacher training colleges in Bungoma County, Kenya. [Google Scholar]
Lim, W. M. (2019). Spectator sports and its role in the social marketing of national unity: Insights
from a multiracial country. Journal of Leisure Research, 50, 260-284. [Google Scholar]
MacDonald, A., Clarke, A., Huang, L., Roseland, M., & Seitanidi, M. M. (2018). Multi-
stakeholder partnerships (SDG# 17) as a means of achieving sustainable communities and cities (SDG# 11). In Handbook of sustainability science and research (pp. 193-209). Springer, Cham. [Google Scholar]
Mackatiani, C. I. (2017). Influence of Examinations Oriented Approaches on Quality Education
in Primary Schools in Kenya. Journal of Education and Practice, 8(14), 51-58. [Google Scholar]
Mählmann, P. (1988). Sport as a Weapon of Colonialism in Kenya: A Review of the
Literature. Transafrican Journal of History, 17, 152-171.
Mählmann, P., 1992. The role of sport in the process of modernization: the case of Kenya. Journal
of Eastern African research and development, 22, 120–131.
Mahlmann, P., Asembo, M. & Korir, M. (1993). An analysis of Sport in Kenya Educational
Institutions. Journal of Eastern African Research and Development, 23, 160-175.
McNeal, K. S., Libarkin, J. C., Ledley, T. S., Bardar, E., Haddad, N., Ellins, K., & Dutta, S.
(2014). The role of research in online curriculum development: The case of EarthLabs climate change and Earth system modules. Journal of Geoscience Education, 62(4), 560-577.
Meyer, K. L., & Roche, K. M. (2017). Sports-for-development gender equality impacts from
basketball programme: Shifts in attitudes and stereotyping in Senegalese youth and coaches. Journal of Sport for Development, 5(9), 49-57.
Mkandawire, S. B. (2010). Impediments to curriculum implementation in learning institutions.
African Higher Education Review, 8, 1-15.
Muinde, M. M. (2014). Investigation of implementation of PE Curriculum in secondary schools
in Kitui County. Retrieved on May 6, 2020 from
http://erepository.mku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/2837
Muthima, N. W., Udoto, M. O., & Anditi, Z. O. (2016). Primary School Teachers' Perceptions of
Adequacy and Quality of Physical Facilities in Public Primary Schools under Free Primary Education. Journal of Education and Practice, 7, 146-148.
Mwisukha, A., Njororai, W. W. S., & Onywera, V. (2003). Contributions of sports towards
national development in Kenya. East African Journal of PE, Sports Science, Leisure and Recreation Management, 1, 73-81. Google Scholar.
Mwisukha, A., Rintaugu, E., Kamenju, J., & Mwangi, P. (2012). Shaping the future of physical
education in Kenya. Ming-Kai, C.-Edginton, CR (eds): PE and Health Global Perpectives and Best Practice, Nairobi, Kenyatta, University, 270-278.
Njororai, W. W. S. (2013). Contextualization of Kenya’s Post-independence Sporting Success.
In KESSA Conference Proceedings (pp. 40-45).
Ogula, P. A. (2016). Monitoring and Evaluation of Educational Projects and Programmes.
Nairobi: Mwenge Academic Publishers.
Okwemba, J. N (2011). Evaluation of the Implementation of Curriculum After Inception of Free
Primary Education Policy in Primary Schools in Vihiga District, Kenya (2003-2006). Unpublished Masters Thesis, Maseno University.
Ominde, S. H. (1964). Kenya education commission report (Vol. 1). Kenya Education
Commission.
Omokhodion, J. (2008). Assessing the preparedness of Nigeria for her universal basic education
program. Pakistan Journal of Social Science, 5, 866-870.
Ornstein, A. C & Hunkins F. P. (2009). Curriculum Foundations, Principles and Issues. New
York: Pearson Education, Inc.
Quay, J. (2014). The challenges of teaching PE: Juxtaposing the experiences of
PE teachers in Kenya and Victoria (Australia). African Journal for physical health education, recreation and dance, 20, 745-754.
Republic of Kenya (2013). Sports Act No. 25 of 2013. Nairobi: National Council of Law Reporting.
Republic of Kenya (2017). Basic Education Curriculum Framework. Nairobi: Kenya Institute of
Curriculum Development.
Rintaugu, E. G., Mwisukha, A., & Munayi, S. (2011). Sports: On the right track. Youth Research
Compendium, 309-330.
Sapkota, J. B., & Neupane, P. (2018). Sport for Development and Peace (SDP) Organisations and
the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of Nepal. Global Social Welfare, 1-12.
Sifuna, D.N., 1990. Development of education in Africa: the Kenyan experience. Nairobi:
Initiatives.
Simiyu, C. N. (2019). The Challenges of Free Primary Education Implementation in Primary
Schools in Bungoma County, Kenya. International Journal of Scientific Research and Management, 7(01). [Google Scholar]
Smith, A. (2015). Primary school physical education and sports coaches: Evidence from a study
of school sport partnerships in north-west England. Sport, Education and Society, 20, 872-888.
Syomwene, A., Nyandusi C. M., & Yungungu, A.M. (2017). Core Principles in Curriculum.
Eldoret: Utafiti Foundation.
Wamukoya, E. E. K., & Hardman, K. (1992). PE in Kenyan secondary schools. British Journal
of PE, 23(4), 30-33.
Zipporah, M., Kadenyi, M., & Maithya, P. (2016). Influence of Teacher Related Factors on the
Implementation of PE Syllabus in Public Primary Schools in Manga Sub County, Kenya. [Google Scholar].
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
SEREK publication https://serek.or.ke
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License