By Amoto Ndiewo
Parents in Sala Ward in Tana River County have decried the expensive cost of the Competence Based Curriculum (CBC).
Although the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) designed the Curriculum to emphasize the significance of developing and applying acquired skills, Sala Ward parents have expressed reservations.
One of the parents in Hatata Primary school, Jilo Godana, said that by virtue of the CBC being too expensive for them, their children were on the verge of dropping out of school.
Jilo, who has three children in the school, lamented that the fees was too much for him.
“The younger children are expected to pay Ksh.350 while the eldest is expected to foot a bill of Ksh.450 yet we are being told primary education is free,” Godana said.
He added that at times, the teachers direct their children to bring chicken and eggs amongst other items for practical lessons.
“In fact the 8-4-4 system was quite efficient and needed not be scrapped but only be improved,” he said.
He added: “In this respect, we urge President William Ruto to scrap this Curriculum because it is very stressful and expensive.”
Another parent, Habat Korane, lamented that following the on-going biting drought and the ailing economy, life had become tougher and affording a hundred shillings had become a tall order.
“Caught between a rock and a hard place, we are wondering whether we will provide our families with food or pay for expensive CBC items,” he said regretfully.
Maryam Guyo narrated how one of her children came home asking for cooking oil and a sufuria. The teacher also occasionally told parents to mark homework for their children.
“That is an impossible task since most parents around here are either illiterate or too busy trying to make ends meet. CBC is so unforgiving for the children whose parents are illiterate and those who live with old grandparents,” she said.
Efforts to reach the school Head mistress Madam Halima Mohamed were unsuccessful as she was still held up in a meeting by the time of publishing the story.
