Presentation Schedule
Leveraging Ethnolinguistic Diversity for Equitable Education and Social Inclusion: Insights from the Competence Based Curriculum in Kenya (92591)
Session Chair: Marian Bilbao
Friday, 13 June 2025 15:55
Session: Session 4
Room: Room 116 (1F)
Presentation Type:Oral Presentation
Kenya's ethnolinguistic landscape consists of over 42 indigenous languages and dialects, alongside Kiswahili and English. The 2017 Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) explicitly mandates the use of Indigenous languages as the medium of instruction in early education, particularly in rural areas, with the designated mother tongue employed for teaching in Grades 1 to 3. This study evaluates the effectiveness of the CBC in utilizing ethnolinguistic diversity to enhance equitable education and social inclusion while navigating the transition to Kiswahili and English in later stages. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining interviews with 30 public and private school teachers and a comprehensive literature review of journal articles, government policy documents, and curriculum evaluation reports. Findings indicate that using the mother tongue as the medium of instruction up to Grade 3 has improved early-grade literacy and reduced school dropout rates among children from low-income families, those in rural and pastoralist areas, and those from minority communities. As a national language and compulsory subject throughout primary and secondary education, Kiswahili further promotes inclusion by providing a common linguistic framework. However, challenges include insufficient resources, inadequate teacher training, and inconsistent policy enforcement. These limitations, identified through the teachers’ insights and the reviewed literature, highlight difficulties in ensuring seamless transitions from Indigenous languages to Kiswahili and English. The study underscores the need for a more precise framework within the CBC to address these transitions and achieve its goals.
Authors:
Hesborn Ondiba, Tokyo University of Science, Japan
Eric Ambele, Mahasarakham University, Thailand
About the Presenter(s)
Dr. Hesborn Ondiba is currently an Assistant Professor at Tokyo University of Science, Japan.
Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/hesborn-ondiba-06695864
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