the case for philosophy for children in kenyan schools
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12957/childphilo.2022.62890Keywords:
philosophy for children, value education, community of inquiry, competency-based curriculum.Abstract
The significance of value-based education in character development and inculcation of ethical citizenship attitudes in Kenyan schools cannot be overemphasized. In the recent past, cases of unethical behaviour among primary school-going children and those who have graduated from this important segment of education have been on the rise, despite the various interventions by the Kenyan government to integrate value concerns in the curriculum. Since 2020, there has been a sharp increase in the cases of student-led arsons in learning institutions in Kenya. From independence, the government of Kenya adopted an indirect approach of value education that advocates for integration of values within regular curriculum. This strategy seems ineffective owing to an increase in the cases of indiscipline among learners. This study seeks to examine the application of Philosophy for Children (P4C) as the architecture for implementing value-based education and the realization of Chapter Six of the Constitution of Kenya because the values thatP4C aims to nurture are highly consistent with those of the Kenyan Constitution. Through P4C, the Kenyan Education system can achieve its goal of preparing responsible and ethical citizens of high moral integrity. Chapter Six of the Kenyan Constitution has laid the cornerstone principles of Leadership, Integrity and elements of ethical citizenship. It dictates the code of conduct for state officers and responsible citizenry. Through the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), the Ministry of Education seeks to inculcate these principles in the learners at an early age.
Downloads
References
Castleberry, J.B. and Clark,K.M. (2020). Expanding analytic teaching and Philosophical Praxis.New York: Routledge.
Gregory, M.R.; Haynes, J. And Murris, K. (2017). The Routledge handbook of Philosohy for Children. New York: Taylor & Francis.
Golding, C. (2010). “That’s a better idea “Philosophical progress in Philosophy for Children. Melbourne: University of Melbourne.
Grima,G.( 2019).What is quality education? Retrieved July 2, 2019 from https:// timesofmalta.com/articles/view/ what-is-quality-education.234848
KICD (2017). Basic education curriculum framework. Nairobi: Government Printers.
Lipman, M. (2003). Thinking in Education. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Lokaii, N.A. (2014). The place of morality in Kenyan law. Nakuru: Kabarak University.
Murris, K. (2000). Van children do philosophy. Journal of Philosophy of Education, 34 (2), 261-279.
Naji, S. And Hashim, R. (2017). History, theory and practice of Philosophy for Children: International perspectives. New York: Taylor & Francis.
Ndichu, M. (2013). Conceptual analysis of philosophy of education in Kenya . Unpublished PhD thesis, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya.
Ndofirepi, A.P. (2011). Philosophy for children: the quest for an African perspective. South African Journal of Education, 31 (2), 246-256.
Ndofiperi, A.P.; Wadesango, N.; Machingambi, S.; Maphosa, C. and Mutekwe, E. (2013). Can philosophy for children programme empower the 21st century child in Africa? Stud Tribes Tribunals, 11 (2), 179-193.
Ndondo, S. and Mhlanga, D. (2014). Philosophy for children: A model for Unhu/Ubuntu philosophy. International Journal of scientific and Research Publications, 4 (2), 1-5.
Nicola, O. (2013). The implementation of Philosophy for Children in the primary classroom. Hull: University of Hull City.
Omiti,H. (2012). Corruption and governance in Kenya: Implications of constitutional provisions in ethics and integrity. Eldoret: Unpublished L.L.B Dissertation, Moi University.
Omiti, H. (2012). Inadequacies in the anti-corruption agenda and the quest for good governance in the Kenya under the new constitutional dispensation: The role of the citizen. Eldoret: Moi University.
Paranta, E. (2017). Leadership and integrity, a new dawn or false promise: Analysis of the court decisions on chapter six, seven years after promulgation of Kenya’s new constitution. Nairobi: Katiba Institute.org.
Setiani, M.Y. and Mackinnon, A.M. (2015). A community of inquiry based framework for civic education at Universitas Terbuka. Indonesia. Distance Education, 36 (3), 315-363.
White, G. (2009): Creating a P4C Inspired Curriculum. Retrieved July 2, 2019 from https://library.teachingtimes.com/articles/creating-p4c-curriculum.
Zulkifli, H. and Hashim, R. (2020). Philosophy for children in improving critical thinking in a secondary moral education class. International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Education Research, 19 (2), 29-45.