By Abdi Hussein
High levels of illiteracy among parents in Kajiado County has been identified as the biggest setback to Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) implementation in the region.
Pupils from the region face a myriad of challenges that have hindered the full implementation of the curriculum.
Kajiado Adult Education acting director, Mercy Njiriri said parents’ illiteracy has remained a stumbling block towards the implementation of CBC curriculum in the county.
She added that illiteracy levels are high among women compared to their male counterparts especially in the Maa patriarchal culture.
She revealed that the department is moving in earnest to entice women to formal education to narrow the illiteracy levels.
“Most children spend most of their time with their mothers after school. A literate mother will be of huge help to a child on their assignments. We must address the problem from the roots,” said Ms Njiriri.
Kajiado County education CECM Jeremiah Ole Ncharo reiterated the illiteracy challenges in the region despite the posting of CBC competent teachers in the area.
“CBC is great if well implemented. In Kajiado County, some extended families do not have a single literate person who can aid learners in their studies,” said Mr Ole Ncharo.
Kenya National Union of Teachers Union(KNUT) Rift valley NEC member, Elie Korinko said most rural schools in Kajiado county lack infrastructure that are instrumental in rolling out of the CBC curriculum.
“Most of our schools lack proper infrastructure. The ratio of teachers to students remains high.
The Ministry of Education should conduct its survey in rural schools in Kajiado. The situation is pathetic,” said Mr Korinko.
A head teacher from a public primary school in Ilbisil intimated revealed that most of the pupils in his school do not carry out CBC based assignments. The trend is rampant in dozens of Kajiado public schools.
“CBC assignments are formalities. Some pupils come from villages with neither electricity nor cyber cafes to print the given assignments. If I chase them away for not doing the assignments, then I’ll be forced to close down the school,” said the head teacher.
Pupils from rural areas and far flung villages where locals do not fully embrace formal education bear the major brunt of parents’ illiteracy. A spot check done recently indicates that most pupils in the area do not complete assignments that require the help of parents.
“My children usually come home with school assignments but I can’t help them. I never went to school. I hope the teachers back at school will help them,” said Jane Naisura from Ilbisil. Her husband who has since relocated elsewhere in search of pasture for their livestock is also illiterate.
A spot check in schools in urban centers presents a different image. Pupils in schools around
Kitengela, Ngong, Ong’ata Rongai and Kiserian towns have adopted the CBC curriculum despite the teething problems.
