Challenges in the implementation of life skills curriculum in public primary schools in Nakuru Municipality, Kenya

Abstract

Life skills curriculum is fundamental in empowering learners to live meaningful lives. Life skills education and training fall under the most recent and powerful approaches in handling every day challenges faced by children and enhance handling of psychological problems. The Ministry of Education in Kenya introduced life skills Education program with the intention of empowering children with appropriate information and skills to deal with social and health problems affecting the nation including the fight against HIV infections. The study was designed to investigate challenges in the implementation of life skills curriculum in public primary schools in Nakuru Municipality, Kenya.

The study aimed at establishing the level of teachers' awareness of the objectives of life skills curriculum; determined the influence of in-service training of teachers in life skills curriculum and established the extent to which the timetable accommodates the teaching of life skills. The study was based on the Social Learning Theory by Bandura (1997). This underlies the concept of life skills because social environment plays an important role in the development of values and attitudes while creating the opportunity to practice behaviours and social competencies.

Cluster sampling based on groups was used to collect data which was analyzed qualitatively using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS).The Pearson correlation coefficient (r) was used to test reliability where coefficient of 0.85 was realized and was deemed reasonable for the study. Findings from the study showed that most teachers were aware of the importance of life skills curriculum but do not implement it effectively in their school. The study revealed that, life skills curriculum was accommodated in the time table but there was no emphasis put in the teaching of life skills instead examinable subjects were taught during the life skills lesson. The study also noted that in-service training of teachers in life skills curriculum has influence in the implementation.

The study recommended in-service training for all life skills curriculum teachers, teaching of life skills curriculum instead of examinable subject as well as preparing schemes and lesson plans. Increase teachers' awareness and attitude on life skills curriculum in public primary schools. There is need for more sensitisation forums especially for the pupils to understand and appreciate life skills since not only examinable subjects can make a difference in their lives. The study recommended further study to the other districts of the country.