By Rosemil Oduor
Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) have backed the implementation of the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) and urged the High Court to dismiss a case filed by a lawyer seeking to dismiss CBC and a return 8-4-4 system.
Responding to lawyer Esther Angawa’s case challenging CBC rollout, KNUT Secretary General Collins Oyuu argued that CBC has limitless opportunities for learners.
Oyuu, through lawyer John Mbaluto, stated that the union doesn’t oppose CBC rollout since nothing in the implementation of CBC contradicts, offends or violates the provisions of the Basic Education Act or the constitution.
KNUT argued that that CBC has different levels including: the foundational, intermediate, pre vocational and vocational levels, university and tertiary education training and the world of work.
Foundational level has pre- primary and lower primary, the intermediate level has upper primary and lower secondary while the prevocational level will accommodate children between 10 to 15 years.
Vocational level will cater for children between 16-18 years who will thereafter transition to tertiary or university.
Oyuu’s stand contradicts that of his predecessor Wilson Sossion who opposed CBC citing poor preparation in terms of lack of training for teachers, lack of infrastructure and teaching materials and lack of funds to finance the rollout.
KUPPET Secretary General Akelo Misori also expressed confidence in the success of CBC implementation.
He stated that the main goals of CBC are developing learners’ skills and knowledge.
“CBC is aimed at the flexibility and well-coordinated programme that will provide limitless opportunities to leaners,” he said.
He further lauded CBC as being based on instructions, assessment, grading and academic reporting centered on a child’s knowledge and skills.
He added that CBC is in tandem with the goals of making education more versatile.
Misori argued that the 8-4-4 system didn’t embrace holistic development of learners as it focused on the passing of set exams.
