Effects of Integrating 21st Century Skills in the Curriculum on Teachers’ Pedagogical Competence in Kenya

Abstract

Integrating 21st-century abilities into teacher education has become an essential component of preparing educators for modern classrooms. Specifically, incorporating integration of the 21^st Century Skills such as communication, critical thinking, collaboration, problem-solving is crucial to the teaching and learning processes, hence need to be part of teachers’ pedagogical competence. The study looks into the effect of incorporating 21st-century abilities, notably critical thinking, collaboration, and innovation, on teachers' pedagogical competency in selected private colleges in Kiambu County, Kenya. From the study, critical thinking abilities, particularly problem identification and logical reasoning, greatly improve instructors' capacity to create learner-centred instructional techniques. Collaboration skills, such as classroom management and course development, also help teachers increase their efficacy by creating inclusive and engaging learning environments. Furthermore, innovative skills, such as technology integration and digital resource usage, have been shown to improve instructional adaptability, making learning more engaging and efficient. Incorporating 21st-century skills into teacher training programs is critical to improving pedagogical competence. The study suggests that teacher education institutions should improve experiential learning methodologies, enhance digital literacy, and implement organized cooperation frameworks to better educate pre-service teachers. These findings add to the continuing debate on teacher education reforms and provide practical insights for curriculum authors, legislators, and educational stakeholders trying to improve teaching standards in Kenya and worldwide.