Members of Parliament on February 21 called on the government to speedily address challenges plaguing the competency-based curriculum (CBC) or else abolish it altogether.
The National Assembly suspended business of the day to discuss pertinent issued that have hindered the implementation of the CBC curriculum, six years after its roll-out.
Nominated MP Nyakeraririo Mayaka said implementing CBC in local school is a challenge considering the electricity, internet connectivity and availability of computers.
“CBC should be abolished. This year, most abled parents, especially top government officials have admitted their children to international schools that do not associate themselves with the CBC curriculum. CBC is a tragedy of monumental proportions.” Marwakwet West MP Timothy Kipchumba said.
MPs approved a resolution to press the government to address the many challenges plaguing the new system of education that replaced the nearly four-decades-old 8-4-4 system, whose last group of learners will sit Standard Eight and Form Four national examinations this December.
MPs from the ruling Kenya Kwanza Alliance and opposition Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party closed ranks in their criticism of CBC, regretting that it has widened the class divide between learners from poor backgrounds and those from well-to-do families.
The MPs called on the Ministry of Education to either put the necessary infrastructure in place, especially for JSS or abolish CBC entirely and revert to the 8-4-4 that it replaced.
The MPs also want all public primary schools allowed to host JSS to address overcrowding.
“If the ministry cannot listen to these challenges and address them to the benefit of the people, I would wish, as a House, we resolve to stop this CBC and continue with an education that gives meaning to the children of the poor people,” Mr Kaluma said.
Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu on Wednesday, February 15, revealed that over 200,000 students were yet to join Junior Secondary School(JSS) because their parents were holding them back.
Machogu added that many parents feared incurring costs while taking their children to school including fees and buying educational books.
However, the CS reiterated that JSS education was free and compulsory for all students to ensure 100 percent transition, adding that parents would only contribute money for lunch.
In the last few years, there have been various educational reforms worldwide. One of the most significant reforms is the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). The CBC is designed to focus on equipping learners with the necessary skills and knowledge to be productive citizens. It is an innovative approach to teaching and learning that emphasizes competency development rather than rote learning. The CBC is being implemented in various countries, including Kenya.
Kenya has made significant strides in its education system over the years. The country has seen an increase in the number of children attending school and a decrease in the number of dropouts. However, the implementation of the CBC has been a significant challenge. This article explores why it’s not possible to implement CBC in Kenya.
Inadequate Resources
The implementation of the CBC requires significant resources, including human resources, materials, and financial resources. The Kenyan education system is already under-resourced, with a shortage of teachers and inadequate facilities. The lack of resources is one of the significant challenges facing the implementation of the CBC in Kenya.
In most public schools, the teacher-student ratio is worrying compared to private schools. Up-to-date, some public schools have not started teaching JSS learners.
The CBC requires a new approach to teaching and learning, which requires the training of teachers. However, the Kenyan government has not provided sufficient training for teachers to deliver the CBC effectively. Additionally, there is a shortage of qualified teachers, making it challenging to implement the CBC effectively.
Even after the mass deployment of teachers, they are yet to report to their designated schools.
Socioeconomic Factors
Socioeconomic factors play a significant role in the implementation of the CBC in Kenya. The country is facing significant socioeconomic challenges, including poverty, unemployment, and inequality. These challenges make it challenging for children to access education, let alone access quality education.
The CBC requires a significant shift in the approach to teaching and learning. It is designed to focus on equipping learners with practical skills that will help them be productive citizens. However, these skills require resources and facilities that are not readily available in most schools in Kenya.
The learners in public schools are disadvantaged as compared to their counterparts in private schools.
Cultural Factors
Cultural factors also play a significant role in the implementation of the CBC in Kenya. The country has diverse cultures, and some of these cultures may not be compatible with the CBC. For example, some cultures in Kenya value rote learning over competency development.
For instance, Learners in pastoral communities are disadvantaged.
The CBC requires learners to be actively involved in the learning process, which may not be acceptable in some cultures. Additionally, some cultures in Kenya may not prioritize education, making it challenging to implement the CBC effectively.
Lack of Political Will
The implementation of the CBC in Kenya requires the political will of the government. However, there has been a lack of political will to implement the CBC effectively.
The government has not provided sufficient resources to implement the CBC effectively. Additionally, there has been a lack of support for the CBC from various stakeholders, including parents and teachers.
The Kenyan government has been slow to implement the CBC, with some schools yet to implement the new curriculum.
The lack of political will has been a significant hindrance to the successful implementation of the CBC in Kenya.
The Kenya Lawmakers want the Curriculum suspended.
Lack of Stakeholder Involvement
The successful implementation of the CBC requires the involvement of various stakeholders, including teachers, parents, and the government.
However, there has been a lack of stakeholder involvement in the implementation of the CBC in Kenya.
The government has not provided sufficient training for teachers to implement the CBC effectively.
Additionally, parents have not been adequately informed about the new curriculum, making it challenging for them to support their children in their learning.
Conclusion
The Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) is an innovative approach to teaching and learning that emphasizes competency development rather than rote learning. However, the implementation of the CBC in Kenya has been a significant challenge. The country faces significant socioeconomic, cultural, and political challenges that make it difficult to implement the CBC effectively.
Inadequate resources, socioeconomic factors, cultural factors, lack of political will, and lack of
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