The Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) has partnered with the Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) to introduce consumer rights and market regulation in junior and secondary school curriculum.
In a joint statement on Wednesday, December 14, KICD and CAK stated that the move was meant to equip learners with knowledge to enable them to make informed consumer choices.
The consumer rights and market regulation concepts will be rolled out in the curriculum beginning in January 2023.
"Effective January 2023, concepts relating to the two disciplines will be taught in subjects such as Home Science and Business Studies, thereby benefiting over 1.2 million learners transitioning to Junior Secondary School.
"In 2024 and 2025, the same concepts will be taught in at least 20 subjects at Grade 8 and 9 respectively and thereafter in over 30 subjects at Senior Secondary (Grade 10, 11 and 12). The skills have been incorporated in the students' course material through formal and non-formal learning activities," read part of the statement.
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Learning of the concepts will entail students identifying consumer issues within their community and discussing possible remedies through practical assignments.
KICD Director Prof. Charles Ong'ondo said that the inclusion of the concepts to the curriculum will broaden the perspective of consumer awareness and appreciation of the importance of competition in markets among young learners.
"Consumer-related issues affect us all irrespective of age. By mainstreaming them in the curriculum, we shall equip our young citizens with the requisite knowledge, skills and values to safeguard them from exploitation by unscrupulous business persons and organisations," Prof. Ong'ondo said.
