The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) is keen on updating its curricula and training standards to make them robust and in tandem with changing times.
Speaking while closing a workshop held to review the Diploma in Journalism curriculum, the MCK Assistant Director for Training and Curriculum Development Christine Nguku said key competencies should be ingrained at every stage of training.
This, she said, would prepare students for a changed media work environment. “In our review we asked ourselves: what can a student do at this stage even if they dropped out at that point? So, we emphasised on practicals, rather than theory to prepare job creators,” she said.
The two-day workshop brought together Council officials, curriculum developers, media trainers, editors and examiners.
The panel recommended the collapse of the three volumes of the curriculum – online, print and broadcast – in keeping with the reality of convergence in media practice, among other changes.
“I am happy that we have finally come together as stakeholders to begin this process which I believe will culminate in a very robust document for the good of the industry,” said Mr Joseph Migwi, subject head of Journalism at the Kenya National Examination Council.
Educationist and veteran editor David Aduda said curricula are living documents which regularly need a fresh breath of life.
After the review by the team of 16, the process will be opened up for public participation by the wider industry as required by law.
MCK is mandated to develop, promote and ensure implementation of appropriate curricula, training approaches and tools. The Council sets standards, in consultation with the relevant training institutions, for professional education and training of journalists.
In a bid to standardise the training of journalists at the diploma level, the Council developed a Diploma in Journalism curriculum which is examined by KNEC.
The Council also has short, specialised courses which are professional in nature to complement college training and boost reporting.
Mr Julius Sigei, the MCK Senior Officer for Training Standards and Curriculum, urged universities and colleges to pick up the short courses as their contribution to better journalism practice in the country.