By Kelvin Kiprop
The Kenya Publishers Association is in the process of distributing grade 7 textbooks across the country.
Association’s chairperson Kiarie Kamau says they expect the textbook to be available in all bookshops for parents to purchase by the end of the year.
Speaking during the launch of regional book fair in Eldoret, Kiarie said they ate currently working on the grade 8 books.
“For grade eight textbooks, we have completed the preparation and we are waiting for the official contract from the government and KICD for distribution after approval,” said Kamau.
The Kenya Publishers Association chairperson further admitted that they had a challenge in terms of materials when the new curriculum was introduced.
However, he said the situation has now been stabilized.
“Every new system comes with challenges but today we have been able to publish books and distributed to public school and each pupil has a book in 1; 1 ratio,” Kamau said.
“For private schools, we sold the books to them last December,” he added.
But even as they work on availing the Junior Secondary School books to learners, the publishers have put on notice individuals involved in piracy of books.
Simple language
On her part, Uasin Gishu County Executive Committee Member for Education Dr Janet Kosgey urged the publishers to ensure the textbooks are fit for pupils.
“All the books issued in the schools should be written in a simple language for the learners to clearly understand the content,” Kosgei said.
Further, the Uasin Gishu County Director of Education Issack Khalif Hassan asked the publishers to ensure they only sell books approved by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD).
“I want to quote Chinua Achebe who said “what goes through the mouth must also come through the hand” and all the books which go through our children should come through KICD,” Khalif said.
