KENYA: Pastoral Instruction Book Unveiled at 10th Edition of CaPEIA
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
At the 10th edition of the Catholic Private Education Institutions Association (CaPEIA) conference held at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) from 16-18 April, a new book for the Programme of Pastoral Instruction (PPI) for grade 9 learners was launched.
According to Bishop Paul Kariuki Njiru who has been the chairman of the Commission for Education and Religious Education (CERE) of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) and currently the chairman of KCCB’s Secretariat for Economy, there is need for learners to have a resource material for spiritual guidance.
“Given the distractions and challenges the society and learners are going through, it is crucial to find sources of guidance and inspiration that resonate with our souls and lead us towards the path of righteousness,” Bishop Kariuki of Kenya’s Wote Diocese said on Tuesday, April 16, during the launch adding that “Today we unveil such a beacon of light…that will not only impart knowledge but also nurture the spirit and instil values that are essential for a fulfilling life.”
The book was unveiled in the presence of Archbishop Hubertus van Megen the Apostolic Nuncio in Kenya and South Sudan, Very Rev. Prof. Stephen Ngari Mbugua, the Vice Chancellor of CUEA, and Very Rev. Fr. Jude Waweru, the KCCB’s General Secretary among others.
According to Bishop Kariuki, the book is a journey that surpasses the limitations of time and space but blends ancient wisdom with modern perspectives to provide a comprehensive understanding of “our existence and purpose.”
“For our learners who are torchbearers of tomorrow, this book serves as a compass, guiding them through the complexities of life and empowering them to navigate the turbulent waters of adolescence with grace and resilience,” the Prelate said assuring the participants who were members of CaPEIA an association that brings all Catholic private institutions in Kenya together that learners will find solace, strength and hope during times of uncertainties and despair when they read the book.
Additionally, the Local Ordinary of Wote Diocese since 2023, narrated that the grade 9 PPI book goes beyond a guide and is “a testament to the power of faith and the transformative potential of Spirituality.”
The book further invites learners to explore introspectively and delve into the depths of their hearts to uncover the divine essence within themselves.
The Bishop appreciated all those who worked toward the realization of the new book including the authors, publishers, and KCCB-CERE, stressing that the book should serve as a guiding light for the generations to come illuminating the path towards a future filled with peace, harmony, and spiritual abundance.
Grade 9 according to the new education system in Kenya, the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) is junior secondary. The CBC is structured into a 2-6-3-3-3 system, where learners are expected to spend 2 years in Pre-primary, 6 years in Primary (Grades 1–6), 3 years in Junior Secondary (Grades 7, 8, 9), 3 years in Senior Secondary (grade 10,11,12) retaining 12 years of basic education schooling as the previous system and 3 years in university.
