By Enock Okong’o
There is a big division between those supporting and opposing Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) in Kisii, with major stakeholders calling for the removal of the system and strengthening of the 8-4-4.
In a consultative meeting held at Kisii University chaired by its Vice Chancellor (VC) Prof John Akama, teachers called for the abolition of the curriculum because the government has not provided enough classrooms in all schools to accommodate them.
“It is only a few selected schools that have CBC classrooms and this will lead to scramble for the few resources by the 1.27 million Grade 6 learners who are expected to join Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) in January,” said Lucy Machuki, a teacher.
They said that it might have been well intentioned by the policy makers, but then they are not ready to implement it.
“We cannot be told to sing a song and entertain our audience when we have not practised the same song,” rejoined Joseph Mochama.
Nyanza region Parents Association chairman Paul Mainga thanked President William Ruto for constituting the task force to collect views and hoped they will do good work and give the true picture of what the public wants.
He said that the Grade 6 pupils are too young to be enjoined in secondary schools.
The chairman of Kenya Secondary Schools Association (KESSHA) Kisii branch Mrs Joyce Orioki said the CBC is good because it equips the young learner with the immediate skills needed for their growth.
However, she expressed her fear that it might not succeed in secondary school because teachers have not yet received its proper syllabus.
She said teachers need a clear roadmap of where they want to take their students.
Orioki, who is the principal of Nyabururu Girls National School, called for sobriety in the ongoing review meetings.
“We need to do our consultations with a lot of sobriety devoid of any political interference,” she advised.
