KENYA TECHNICAL TRAINERS COLLEGE

ED4000-CURRICULUM STUDIES
ROLES OF CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES
2020ED142389
PURITY JEPKEMOI KANGOGO
2020EDADDIPICS1A

ROLES OF CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES IN KENYA

The curriculum development process is a complex process that requires coordination between
different stakeholders and agencies to be successful. It is complex because it involves designing
and developing plans or syllabuses for learning, a plan for implantation, evaluation,
implementation and learning outcome. In Kenya, there are different bodies that act as agents in
the curriculum development process in ensuring that the process is successful. They include
Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD), Teachers Service Commission (TSC),
Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC), and Quality Assurance and Standards Office.
Each of these agencies performs different functions, as discussed below:

1.KICD
KICD is directly involved in the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of
the curriculum. One of its functions is to offer advice to the national government on matters
concerning the process of curriculum development (KICD Bill ,2012). This advice includes
curriculum design, development and implementation. After the design and development of
the current Kenyan education curriculum, KICD is actively involved in advising the
government on the best ways to implement the curriculum.
The agency is also involved in developing, reviewing and approving curriculums, programs
and support materials that meet the international standards for the early childhood care and
education, pre-primary education, secondary education, adult education, technical and
vocational education and post-secondary education (KICD Bll,2012).
It implements curriculum development policies for early childhood education, primary and
tertiary educations. KICD takes an active role in ensuring that after a successful design and
development of a new curriculum by developing policies that support the effective
implementation of that curriculum (KICD Bill,2012).
It implements curriculum development policies for early childhood education, primary and
tertiary educations. KICD takes an active role in ensuring that after a successful design and
development of a new curriculum by developing policies that support the effective
implementation of that curriculum (KICD BILL,2012).
The agency also develops, disseminates and transmits programs and support materials
through means such as e-learning, long-distance learning, mass media, and any other
necessary means of transmitting support materials and training programs (KICD BILL,2012).
The agency also offers consultation services to various individuals and other organizations
regarding education matters in early childhood education, pre-primary education, primary
education, secondary education, tertiary education and higher learning (KICD BILL,2012).

2. TSC
The Teacher Service Commission is another Kenya government agency that oversees
matters relating to the curriculum development and implementation process. Under
article 237(2) of the Kenya constitution, TSC is responsible for registering trained
teachers. Trained teachers help in the implementation and evaluation of the curriculum.
Teachers ensure that the implementation of the curriculum is successful. Therefore, the
agency has to regulate the registration of these teachers by ensuring that they are
qualified.
TSC also recruits and employs registered to teachers to teach in various public schools
across the country. It regulates the professional conduct of these teachers and takes
disciplinary control over them. By doing so, it ensures that there is uniformity in the
standards governing the teaching profession in Kenya and that the curriculum is
implemented uniformly across the country.
The agency reviews the standards of the curriculum for training teachers. The educator
for persons who want to train and become teachers must meet the required standards,
both internationally and locally, and it is the mandate of TSC to ensure this.
Where necessary, if these standards are not met, the agency can offer consultation,
recommendation. Or take disciplinary actions against stakeholders who have violated
these standards.

3.KNEC
The Kenya National Examinations Council is mainly concerned with matters to do with
examinations.
According to Kenya National Examinations Council Act.2012, KNEC is responsible for
setting and maintaining standards for examination. These standards include developing
policies, regulations and procedures regarding examinations. The agency ensures that these
policies, standards, regulations and procedures are in accordance with the curriculum in order
to ensure successful implementation of the curriculum.
KNEC is mandated to develop national examinations. Under 8-4-4 system, these
examinations include the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education exams, Kenya Certificate
of Secondary exams, adult and continuing education exams, technical, training and
vocational exams, and tertiary institutions exams such as colleges.
The agency is mandated to oversee the examination process in ensuring implantation of
the curriculum. The examination process includes registration of candidates for national
exams, conducting national exam, marking and processing of the examination results as well
awarding of certificates after each successful examination.
It also offers advice to the government, individuals, and other institutions regarding the
development and use of assessment systems. The systems are developed according to the
curriculum implementation process and terms and conditions that are mutually agreed upon
by both parties. It also offers advice regarding curriculum programs and education policies
and their implications to the agency as well as curriculum implementation.

4.Quality Assurance Standards Offices

The Quality Assurance Standards Office is concerned with ensuring that all educational and
curriculum matters are conducted by agreed quality standards. According to the ministry of
education, the Directorate of Quality Assurance and Standards is responsible for setting,
improving and maintaining standards in all educational institutions. It ensures that these
standards are by the curriculum and are adhered to by these institutions. It also conducts
quality assurance and standards assessment of these institutions.
Quality Assurance Standards Office is responsible for organizing, coordinating and
implementing co-curriculum activities. These co-curriculum activities include those at the
national and international levels, and it ensures that theses activities adhere to the national
and international quality assurance standards.
The office coordinates with KNEC and KICD on assessment matters and curriculum
matters, respectively. The coordination with KNEC is to ensure that assessment of ECD, per-
service primary and diploma -teacher examinations, as well as teaching practicum, are
conducted accordingly. Together with KNEC, the office moderates, awards certificates, and
offers national exams and National Assessment and Learning Achievement (NASMLA). The
office also coordinates with KICD on the design, development and evaluation of the
curriculum.