By Musyoka Kaliti
Universities have convened to discuss how they will include CBC elements in their Education programmes in order to equip teachers with relevant skills even as the CBC review taskforce settles down.
While giving the keynote address at the 3rd Education Deans Consultative Forum held at the University of Embu, Vice Chancellor of South Eastern Kenya University (SEKU) Professor Geoffrey Muluvi said they were also gearing up to reform their education curriculum in order to accommodate the students who will later join the institutions.
Prof. Muluvi urged the Deans to move with speed to equip students taking teaching courses with CBC-related skills and to also to harmonize the content they deliver to their students to ensure uniformity in the delivery of curriculum.
“Students should be provided with CBC skills so that when they go to teach in high schools, they are fully aware of what needs to be done,” he said.
The VC asked them to take advantage of the public participation forums which will be hosted by the just formed taskforce to highlight the challenges the institutions have been grappling with in regard to the implementation of the new curriculum.
“It’s time for universities to come up with concrete recommendations on the areas they feel should be strengthened in the new educational dispensation,” said Prof. Muluvi.
He also noted the need to engage parents fully on students’ affairs in universities in order to guide them as they navigate the new life and focus on growing in all the right aspects.
“Universities assume these youngsters are adults who can manage themselves while in fact many are struggling to make the necessary social adjustments,” he said.
The School of Education Dean at Pwani University, Professor Jacinta Kwena noted that it was important for universities to restructure their programs to meet requirements of the CBC.
Her sentiments were echoed by the University of Embu VC Prof. Daniel Mugendi who also expressed optimism that the taskforce was well equipped to solve the issues that blemished CBC.
”I urge the Deans to examine the issue of CBC critically so that they make constructive presentations to the task force,” he added.
