A section of teachers in Kwale County has pledged full support to the government in ensuring the effective implementation of the Competency-Based Education (CBE) curriculum.
Speaking during the fourth and final day of the Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in Africa (CEMASTEA) training for senior school heads at Matuga Senior Girls School, the teachers said they were committed to using the knowledge gained to dispel myths and misconceptions about CBE and strengthen service delivery in their institutions.
The programme training exercise, President Rojas Omweno said, many teachers previously struggled with certain aspects of the Competency-Based Curriculum, especially in handling the grade 10 students.
However, he noted that the majority of them are now adequately equipped to implement the reforms.
“From our assessment, about 80 percent of the teachers now feel empowered and ready to apply the new skills in their classrooms,” Omweno said.
Omweno added that the training has boosted confidence and deepened understanding of the curriculum’s requirements.
He said the capacity-building initiative will go a long way in enhancing instructional quality and supporting the national rollout of CBE across senior schools in the county.
Omweno said they are now conversant in conducting student assessments, which had been a common hurdle in implementing the curriculum.
Another teacher, Erick Kea, said the programme has exposed them to alternative teaching strategies that will enhance curriculum delivery.
He noted that the methods learned during the training will help make learning more practical and learner-centred.
Kea added that teachers are ready to work closely with the government to improve the quality of the new curriculum and ensure learners are nurtured into all-round, competent individuals.
He said the capacity-building initiative will go a long way in improving instructional quality and supporting the national rollout of CBE across senior schools in the county.
However, Kea urged the government to ensure that adequate resources are released to schools on time to facilitate the smooth running of learning activities.
Lead trainer Suleiman Mohamed expressed optimism that the training will significantly elevate education standards in Kwale.
He said the goal is to produce competent learners equipped with relevant job-market skills, noting that teachers now have a strengthened capacity and a more positive perception of the Competency-Based Education (CBE) approach.
Mohamed said the training has enhanced teachers’ confidence, enabling them to better design learner-centred activities that promote creativity, problem-solving and critical thinking, core values of the new curriculum.
He added that the shift from rote learning to competency development requires a mindset change from both teachers and administrators.
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According to him, the ongoing training is a step in the right direction, as many teachers are now embracing modern instructional methods such as practical learning, group tasks and digital integration.
Mohamed further urged education stakeholders, including parents and school boards, to support the implementation process by providing a conducive environment for learners to explore their talents and acquire technical and life skills.
He also called on the government to continue investing in teacher professional development, saying sustained training will ensure that CBE is rolled out effectively across all schools in the county.
By Shaban Omar
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