Alara Primary School in Homabay County has embraced a transformative approach to education by integrating sustainable agriculture into its teaching practices, thanks to Kenya’s Competence-Based Curriculum (CBC). The school’s initiative, which includes a thriving vegetable garden, marks the revival of the 4K Clubs—programs designed to equip young learners with practical skills and promote self-reliance.
Peter Odero, a teacher at Alara Primary and the project leader, emphasizes the value of the CBC in equipping students with skills that are relevant to their lives.
“As part of the new CBC, we aim to provide pupils with practical skills that can help them later in life. This project also aligns with the return of the 4K Clubs, which focus on teaching self-reliance,” Odero explained.
The 4K Club, originally introduced by the Kenyan government in 1962, was reintroduced in 2021 with a renewed focus on sustainability and resilience in agriculture. The program aims to instill values of hard work, responsibility, and environmental stewardship among young people. Through hands-on agricultural projects like the vegetable garden at Alara Primary, students gain real-world experience in farming and food production.
The school’s agricultural project began last year, supported by ActionAid Kenya, an NGO that provided technical training and resources, including shade nets to protect the crops. Since then, the garden has flourished, with vegetables grown not only for use within the school but also for sale in the local community. Odero hopes that, with approval from the school board, the program will expand next year to include a feeding program for junior secondary students, utilizing produce from the garden.
“This is a trial, but we are seeing great progress. We hope to expand the garden into a larger space in the future,” Odero said.
The sale of vegetables also contributes to a fund that supports the school’s most vulnerable students, such as those who cannot afford essential items like shoes. The initiative is part of a larger effort by ActionAid Kenya to promote sustainable agricultural practices and build resilience against climate change in local communities.
Jospher Akinyi, a community development facilitator with ActionAid, highlights the importance of schools as platforms for teaching sustainable agriculture.
“This is one of our projects that extends to schools. We have set up model farms in Kwabwai Ward to help students learn about sustainable agriculture and enhance their productivity, resilience, and adaptation to climate change,” Akinyi explained.
By involving students in practical agricultural activities, ActionAid hopes to inspire them to apply the skills they learn at school to their communities, helping to improve local food security and sustainability.
“We chose schools because they are accessible to all community members and can serve as learning centers for everyone,” Akinyi added.
The sustainable garden at Alara Primary School serves as an example of how Kenya’s CBC can be used to promote food security, self-reliance, and environmental consciousness. The project not only supports the educational development of students but also aims to create lasting, positive change in the surrounding community. Through such initiatives, the Competence-Based Curriculum is helping shape a generation of young people equipped with the knowledge and skills to contribute to sustainable agricultural practices and food security in Kenya.