Lower Primary Education at Ubuntu Junior Academy
At Ubuntu Junior Academy, the journey of education continues as learners enter lower primary school after completing two years of pre-primary education (Preprimary 1 and Preprimary 2). Lower primary education, encompassing Grades 1, 2, and 3, builds upon the foundation laid during a child’s early years of education.
Lower Primary Learners’ Expected Ages
- Grade 1: Learners aged 6.
- Grade 2: Learners aged 7.
- Grade 3: Learners aged 8.
Learning Areas in Grades 1, 2, and 3
In Grades 1, 2, and 3, our curriculum covers a range of learning areas to provide a well-rounded education for our young learners. These learning areas include:
- Literacy activities or Braille literacy activities for learners with visual impairment.
- Swahili language activities or Kenya Sign Language (KSL) for learners with hearing impairment.
- English language.
- Mathematical activities, including counting.
- Environmental activities.
- Hygiene and nutrition activities.
- Religious education, offering Christian religious education, Islamic religious education, or Hindu religious education.
- Movement and creative activities, encompassing games, music, art, and sports.
Reporting and Scoring of Learners
In the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) system, we employ a unique approach to monitor learner capabilities. Lower primary pupils complete tasks both individually and in groups to showcase their strengths and abilities. Our dedicated teachers observe and document each learner’s performance based on evidence-based abilities. Learners are assessed and graded as follows:
- Exceeding Expectations: This is the highest score awarded when a learner correctly performs or completes all activities as expected in each learning area.
- Meeting Expectations: Pupils correctly follow instructions, properly perform tasks, and complete most activities in each learning area.
- Approaching Expectations: Learners make attempts to follow instructions but may be inconsistent in completing tasks or activities in different learning areas.
- Below Expectations: This category is for learners observed to have major inaccuracies or an inability to complete tasks as instructed by the teacher.
Expectations After Completing Lower Primary Education
By the end of lower primary education, your child should have achieved several important milestones:
- Appreciating their artwork, music, and movement activities from the past and present within their social context and cultures.
- Expressing feelings, ideas, emotions, and experiences through artwork, music, and movement activities.
- Developing self-confidence and a sense of achievement through creating and responding to artwork, music, and movement activities.
- Creating artwork and performing music and movement activities to share their ideas, thoughts, feelings, and experiences for both learning and enjoyment.
- Using appropriate language to respond to artwork, music, and movement activities for effective communication and collaboration.
- Demonstrating the ability to obey rules, cooperate with others, and fulfill individual responsibilities while maintaining attention to their health and safety.
National Assessment in Grade 3
In the final year of lower primary schooling (Grade 3), all our pupils are expected to register and participate in a national assessment. The assessments are conducted following a well-structured process guided by the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC).
For more detailed information about the lower primary education curriculum, you can visit the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) website or engage with our dedicated teachers at school. At Ubuntu Junior Academy, we are committed to nurturing and educating young minds to help them flourish in their academic journey.