‘New’ Set Texts for 2017 (Update)
The Ministry of Education and KICD may be set to introduce a list of ‘new’ set texts for 2017. The list contains both current titles and some new ones in both English and Kiswahili. Some texts such as The River and the Source, The Caucasian Chalk Circle, Betrayal in the City and Kidagaa Kimemwozea have been retained.
In English, Form 3 students in 2017 will study Margaret Ogola’s The River and the Source together with Bertolt Brecht’s The Caucasian Chalk Circle. The two set texts were introduced in 2013 as compulsory set texts, and were first examined in the 2014 KCSE examinations.
The extension of the lifespans of these two texts beyond the normal four-year cycle means that KICD and the Ministry of Education have broken tradition that limited a compulsory set text to only four years. This, also, means that the 2018 KCSE candidates will be examined using these texts.
Sources at KICD told myliteraturelesson.com that there was a stalemate on whether to replace the current compulsory novel with A Grain of Wheat by Nguni was Thing’s or In Search of Gold by Joseph Kubanda. There was also debate on whether to replace the current compulsory play with Nikolai Gogol’s The Government Inspector.
It is not clear why KICD and the Ministry of Education chose to extend the lifespans of the current compulsory set texts but competing interests and squabbling seem to have affected the process. It should also be noted that the Kenyan government has, in the recent past, discarded the ‘wholesale’ change of set texts in a bid to make secondary education affordable.
However, some changes are expected to be been made on the optional set books. This will see the exit of Witi Ihimaera’s The Whale Rider and the short story anthology, “When the Sun Goes Down and Other Stories from Africa and Beyond”. The new books are set to be: The Pearl by John Steinbeck (novel) and The Ten Shillings and Other Stories (anthology of short stories) by Moran (E.A) Publishers.
Meanwhile, the Kiswahili set books for 2017 are also expected to be released. The novel, Kidagaa Kimemwozea will get an extended lifespan while there will be new titles in drama and the short stories. Said A. Mohammed’s Mashetani Wamerudi is likely to be the new play whereas, Maskini Milionea na Hadithi Nyingine by OUP (Ed. By Ken Walibora) is set to replace the current anthology of short stories – Damu Nyeusi na Hadithi Nyingine.
The Ministry of Education has, however, not confirmed whether these changes will indeed take place in the coming year. In a letter dated 7th November, 2016, the KICD Director confirmed that an audit on the evaluation exercise was ongoing.
What do you think about the new titles? Did KICD do a good job in selecting these new set texts? Let me hear your views in the comments.
UPDATE
After weeks of lobbying, by publishers, the KICD finally settled on the list of new set books for 2017. This came amidst confusion and accusations of corruption from a disgruntled group of publishers who felt short-changed in the whole selection process.
The selection panel, finally, settled on retaining The River and the Source and The Caucasian Chalk Circle as compulsory set texts in English. Betrayal in the City has also been retained as an optional text (drama) while there were surprising changes to the other optional texts.
Memories We Lost and Other Stories (Moran E.A. Publishers) was preferred over The Ten Shillings and Other Stories by the same publisher. This anthology replaces the current title, When the Sun Goes Down and Other Stories from Africa and Beyond. Witi Ihimaera’s The Whale Rider has been replaced by John Steinbeck’s The Pearl.
In Kiswahili there was a dramatic departure whereby the much talked about play – Mashetani Wamerudi – was tossed aside in favour of Pauline Kyovi’s Kigogo. Maskini Milionea na Hadithi Nyingine by OUP (Ed. By Ken Walibora) was also shunned in in preference for Tumbo Lisiloshiba na Hadithi Nyingine by Ken Walibora and Said A. Mohamed (Longhorn Publishers). The Kiswahili compulsory set text for 2017 still remains Kidagaa Kimemwozea by Ken Walibora.
The full list of new set book titles and their duration is shown below:
|
COMPULSORY ENGLISH SET TEXTS |
||||||
| No. |
Title |
Publisher | Duration | Status | ||
| 1. | The River and the Source (1994 Edition) by Margaret Ogola | Focus Publishers | 2013-2017 | Current novel | ||
| 2. | The Caucasian Chalk Circle (2007 Edition) by Bertolt Brecht | Penguin (Spotlight Publishers (E.A) Limited.) | 2013-2017 | Current novel | ||
|
OPTIONAL ENGLISH SET TEXTS |
||||||
| No. |
Title |
Publisher | Duration | Status | ||
| 1. | Betrayal in the City (2010 Edition) by Francis Imbuga | East African Educational Publishers | 2013-2017 | Current optional play | ||
| 2. | Memories We Lost and Other Stories (Approved by KICD 2016 Edition) | Moran E.A. Publishers | 2017-2021 | New anthology of short stories | ||
| 3. | The Pearl (Approved by KICD 2016 Edition) by John Steinbeck | Bookmark Africa | 2017-2021 | New optional novel | ||
|
COMPULSORY SWAHILI SET TEXTS |
||||||
| No. |
Title |
Publisher | Duration | Status | ||
| 1. | Kidagaa Kimemwozea (2012 Edition) by Ken Walibora | Spotlight Publishers (E.A) Limited. | 2013-2017 | Current novel (Riwaya) | ||
| 2. | Kigogo by Pauline Kyovi (Kimeidhinishwa na KICD Toleo la 2016) | Storymoja Publishers | 2017-2021 | New play (Tamthilia) | ||
| 3. | Tumbo Lisiloshiba na Hadithi Nyingine by Ken Walibora and Said A. Mohamed (Kimeidhinishwa na KICD Toleo la 2016) | Longhorn Publishers | 2017-2021 | New anthology of short stories (Hadithi Fupi) | ||
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About The Author
Jon
Join me as I take a look at popular literature from Kenya and beyond...and don't forget to leave a comment :)
Wow, this looks so interesting John! Thanks a million!
Tuca from Copenhagen
Hi Jette, you’re welcome.
I think there is need to change all the books in a bid to diverse readership and propagate varying ideas among learners. In addition, there is need to expose newer writers like Kubanda and others.
Thanks for your informative email Jon.
Hi Waweru, I agree with you about the need to expose learners to a variety of texts and authors. Unfortunately, the concerned ministry also looks at it from a political/economic point of view. They want to ‘lessen the education burden’ on parents and, therefore, they’ve developed a policy of phasing out the texts in piecemeal rather than wholesale. Of course, from a scholarly point of view it makes little sense – if any.
aA grain of wheat by Ngugi wa Thiong is the best novel, learners should study extensively.
IM Tom Cruise
Hi Tom, I agree it’s a great novel. However, bear in mind that another one of Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s titles – The River Between – was taught just before the current one – The River and the Source. Don’t you think It would be good to give a chance to younger upcoming writers such as Joseph Kubanda (In Search of Gold)?
Staggered change is a welcome thing. However when the same author replaces his/her work what does that imply. If you follow history since the 1990s you will find that KICD has “taste” for the same author (or is it a coincidence). If it has to be the same author, it is fair then they contract him/her to write for them. See the trend in the Kiswahili Fasihi
Hi Nan, I agree with you about the lack of diversity especially when choosing Kenyan books. This trend is quite evident in Kiswahili as well as in English. In fact, authors like Margaret Ogola, Ngugi wa Thiong’o, Ken Walibora, Said A. Mohamed and Imbuga Francis are recycled quite often. KICD argues that many books do not meet their set criteria in terms of language and content. However, as noted in this story: https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2000174600/will-kenya-s-curriculum-institute-and-ministry-use-set-books-to-betray-students-again there is always more than just merit in the selection process.
Not bad,i think the ministry of education is trying to diversify it’s curriculum.in addition,the ministry also understands that students likes new ‘staffs’.
Hi Omega. Set texts in Kenya, a definitive life cycle. The current texts have reached the end of theirs. The ministry is only doing what they ought to be doing. However, it is true that most of us like new things.
Hi Jon. Gret work there…
Just a request; kindly give me a list of set books for form 4 (KCSE 2017) and form 3s. My niece is confused, she’s in form 4 and tells me that their principal told them that the set books have been changed n they have to buy the new ones. How true is that? Is it possible to study different set books in form three and have the same changed when the students get to form 4?
Thanks a lot.
Hi Phellie, the form 3s of this year will read: The River and the Source, The Caucasian Chalk Circle and choose one from Betrayal in the City, Memories we Lost and Other Stories or The Pearl.
The Form 4s of this year will remain with all the old titles, i.e. The River and the Source, The Caucasian Chalk Circle and choose one of: Betrayal in the City, When the Sun Goes Down and Other Stories or The Whale Rider.
In Kiwahili Form 3s, this year: Kidagaa Kimemwozea, Kigogo and Tumbo Lisiloshiba na Hadithi Nyingine
Form 4s this year in Kiswahili: Kidagaa Kimemwozea, Mstahiki Meya, Damu Nyeusi na Hadithi Nyingine
I hope that helps. (Please check your email for the same information.)
Helo colleagues.
Which optional set books will the 2017 Form fours be doing?
Hi Eyebee, the Form fours in 2017 will still do the current optional set texts, i.e. Betrayal in the City, When the Sun Goes Down and Other Stories and The Whale Rider. They are not affected by the new changes.
Thumps up KICD. Looking at imbuga’s betrayal in the city, it absolutely reflects what is happening in kenya politically. Askari who is one th xter tells Jere that because he looks at him like a mere officer, he will feed on his saliva as him(askari) and mosese take tea with milk.. .the trending sentiment in kenya”sisi twala nyama, nyinyi mnameza mate”
This will enable learners to reflect what happens in the current society and that in the work of art thus appreciating literature as a mirror
hi jon,Im confused .Dowe teach Kidagaa to form 3s or Jicho la Pembeni?
I wish KICD consult and not “consult” as they usually do.I wish they introduce works with emerging issues.I read ‘The Vanishing Herds’ by Henry Ole Kulet which deals with effects of deforestation and thought would be relevant.
I Think Damu Nyeusi Was Supposed To Be Retained
hello; what if there are some of the students who want to go back to school after failing there kneck examination how will they be assisted catchup with the changes
Need more support
Actualy am greatfull to diversification that is held in our current kenya set tex on our authers but simcearly even the oldones still there is a big challenge becouse of poor foundation in most of the schools….
Hi sir are the new set books available? Really waiting…email me if possible. Otherwise keep up the great work.
That is so nice, but i thought of, wot will be the ‘Riwaya for form 2 students, coz i’ve just seen the recent one, Kidagaa Kimemwozea. Thank you
Hi Jon. Thank you for the information. I am an English teacher and I was in discord with my students and I did not know who to seek.
Thanks so much, kindly let me know when Pearl and memories we lost summaries Will be ready
[…] above texts will be an addition to the ones released late last year. They included: The Pearl, Memories We Lost and Other Stories, ‘Kigogo’ and ‘Tumbo […]
i have always loved reading books ever since my days in primary.and as a teacher of english and literature i believe one of the best gifts to this generation is the book entitled THE PEARL,