Get Rid of Illegal Textbooks to Ensure Quality Education

The Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) recently issued a strong warning about illegal textbooks flooding schools. This is a serious issue that must be addressed immediately. The presence of unauthorized books in schools can harm the quality of education and mislead students.

Illegal textbooks are not approved by KICD, meaning they may contain errors, misleading information or content that does not match the curriculum. Students depend on textbooks to learn and prepare for exams. If they study using books with incorrect content, they may fail their exams or struggle to understand important topics.

Furthermore, illegal books lower the quality of education. The government and education experts work hard to design a proper curriculum that ensures students receive the best knowledge. When unapproved books enter schools, they disrupt this system and create confusion among teachers and learners.

The flooding of illegal books in schools is caused by dishonest publishers, bookshops and school officials who allow these books to enter the education system. Some publishers print books without following the proper procedures, while some bookshops sell these books for profit without caring about their quality. Some schools, in an attempt to cut costs, buy these books instead of the ones approved by KICD.

Parents also play a role. Many parents do not check whether the books they buy for their children are approved. Some rely on book vendors who may sell them illegal textbooks without their knowledge. This shows that the problem affects the entire education sector and requires urgent action.

KICD is responsible for approving all textbooks used in Kenyan schools. The institution ensures that the books follow the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) or the 8-4-4 system, depending on the level of learning. By issuing a stern warning, KICD is trying to protect students from misleading content and poor-quality learning materials.

However, warnings alone are not enough. KICD must work with the Ministry of Education, the police and school management boards to remove illegal textbooks from schools. Regular inspections should be done to ensure that only approved books are in use. Schools that continue using illegal textbooks should face serious penalties.

What then should be done? First, the government should take legal action against publishers and bookshops that produce and sell illegal textbooks. Those found guilty should face heavy fines or even be shut down. This will discourage others from engaging in such activities.

Secondly, the Ministry of Education should conduct surprise visits to schools to check the books students are using. Schools found with illegal books should be required to replace them with KICD-approved versions immediately.

 Many parents and teachers may not know how to identify illegal books. KICD should launch awareness campaigns to educate the public on how to recognize approved textbooks. This can be done through radio, television and social media.

Schools should also be encouraged to buy textbooks directly from authorized publishers or trusted bookshops. This will reduce the chances of purchasing illegal materials.

Furthermore, the government should increase efforts to provide digital textbooks. With official e-books available on government platforms, students and teachers can access the correct learning materials without worrying about illegal copies.

Education is the foundation of a strong nation. If we allow illegal textbooks to flood our schools, we are putting the future of our children at risk. KICD has taken an important step by warning against these books, but more action is needed. The government, schools, parents and all education stakeholders must work together to eliminate illegal textbooks and ensure students receive high-quality education.