Guidelines For Timetabling and Routine In Senior School

Introduction

Developing an effective timetable and daily routine is essential for fostering a productive learning environment where both learners and educators can interact to achieve intended learning outcomes. A well-structured timetable ensures that all learning areas are covered comprehensively and promotes implementation of balanced academic and co-curricular activities. These guidelines outline procedures for developing timetables that optimize utilization of time, teaching and learning experiences, enhance student engagement, and support the achievement of overall educational goals in institutions of learning.

List of subjects at Senior School (Grades 10,11 and 12)

Core Subjects

1. English
2. Kiswahili/KSL
3. Core Mathematics/Essential Mathematics
4. Community Service Learning (CSL)

Arts & Sports Science

1. Sports and Recreation
2. Music and Dance
3. Theatre and Film
4. Fine Arts

Social Sciences

1. Literature in English
2. Indigenous Languages
3. Fasihi ya Kiswahili
4. Sign Language
5. Arabic
6. French
7. German
8. Mandarin Chinese
9. Christian Religious Education
10. Islamic Religious Education
11. Hindu Religious Education
12. Business Studies
13. History and Citizenship
14. Geography

Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM)

1. Biology
2. Chemistry
3. Physics
4. General Science
5. Agriculture
6. Computer Studies
7. Home Science
8. Aviation
9. Building Construction
10. Electricity
11. Metalwork
12. Media Technology
13. Marine and Fisheries Technology

Timetabling process

1. All schools shall establish a time tabling committee comprising of the following:
2. Deputy Head of the institution – Chair person
3. Senior Masters in charge of pathways
4. Heads of subjects
5. Class Teachers of grades 10,11 & 12.
6. The timetabling committee shall hold planning meetings at the beginning of every term to develop or review the school timetable.
7. The timetable shall be presented to the Head of Institution for approval.
8. The approved timetable shall be displayed in all administrative offices, classes, laboratories and notice boards.
9. Every teacher shall extract their respective timetable for use in implementing the curriculum.

Timetabling guidelines for Senior School (Grade 10,11 and 12)

• There shall be 8 lessons per day derived from the core, elective and support subjects.
• PE shall have 3 lessons per week, ICT, 2 lessons per week, while lesson Study and P/RPI one (1) lesson per week
• Cumulatively there shall be a total number of 40 lessons per week.
• Each lesson shall be 40 minutes.
• Reporting time for grade 10, 11 and 12 in Senior Schools shall be at 8.00 am.
• The Lessons at this level shall start at 8.20 am and end at 3.20 pm.
• The time between 8.00 am and 8.20 am shall be utilised for roll call, assembly and/or house/class meetings where applicable.
• When plotting lessons on the timetable, the committee shall ensure that subjects with similar skills, knowledge or concepts do not follow one another.
• Plotting of lessons shall observe balance in distribution of subjects for morning and afternoon hours across the week.
• All core subjects (English, Kiswahili/KSL, Core Mathematics/Essential Mathematics and CSL) shall be plotted as single lessons.
• Support subjects (PE, ICT) shall be plotted as single subjects.
• There shall be only one double lesson for Arts & Sports Science and STEM subjects.
• Non-formal programmes shall be plotted on the timetable after the last lesson at 3.20 pm.
• Health breaks shall be provided after every two lessons where the first break shall be 10 minutes, the second one 30 minutes and lunch break for one hour.

Additional Guidance

• Curriculum

The subjects plotted on the timetable shall be derived from the KICD approved curriculum designs.

• Daily routine

The daily routine shall be provided for as in the Basic Education Regulations, 2015. Part VIII, Section 84 as follows;

Day schools

The official operating hours for all public and private institutions shall be Monday to Friday.

• No day institution of basic education and training shall require learners to report earlier than 7.15 am.
• Class hours shall be from 8.00 am to 3.30 pm. Monday to Friday
• Co-curricular activities shall be from 3.30 pm to 4.45 pm. Monday to Friday

 Boarding schools

All basic education institutions with boarding facilities shall operate 24/7-hour basis as follows:

• Class hours shall be from 8.00 am to 3.30 pm. Monday to Friday
• Co-curricular activities shall be from 3.30 pm to 4.45 pm. Monday to Friday
• Self-directed activities shall be from 5.00 pm to 7.30 pm. Monday to Friday
• Prep shall be from 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm. Monday to Friday
• Bed time shall be 9.30 pm to 6.00 am. Monday to Friday
• Supervised routine activities shall be from 6.00 am to 8.00 am.
• No boarding institution shall send away an unaccompanied learner later than 9.00 am
• The latest reporting time for learners in boarding institution shall be 5.00 pm.

NB: In all schools, the national flag shall be raised during the school assembly on Mondays and Fridays.

• Arts and Sports Science, STEM and Physical Education

Arts and Sports Science and Physical Education (PE) lessons shall be plotted before a break to allow learners adequate time to prepare for the next lesson.

• Plotting of lessons on the time table

When plotting lessons on the timetable, the committee shall ensure that subjects with similar skills, knowledge or concepts do not follow one another. This enhances the learner’s interest and reduces monotony in skill, concept and knowledge acquisition.

• Exceptions

In geographical locations that experience extreme temperatures, the time table’s start and end times shall be adjusted so long as the requisite contact hours for learners are maintained.

• Pastoral/Religious Programmes of Instruction

The P/RPI sessions shall be facilitated by a responsible member of a recognised and legally registered religious faith.

• Parental Empowerment and Engagement

Learning institutions should create opportunities for information sharing and involvement of parents/guardians in the implementation of the curriculum.

• Non-Formal Activities

The timetable committee shall plot specified non-formal programmes after class activities as from 3.20 to 4.45 pm. This includes but not limited to: games, clubs and societies, guidance and counselling and community service learning activities / projects.