Members of Parliament have asked the government to develop a comprehensive policy and allocate enough funds to ensure the successful implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
The MPs, while acknowledging the positive step taken with the introduction of the CBC, emphasized the need for the Ministry of Education, the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD), and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to speed up the process of re-training teachers.
The legislators who were contributing to a motion tabled by Mbeere North MP Geoffrey Ruku said that retooling teachers will be critical in ensuring that teachers are well-versed with the CBC curriculum for better implementation.
Ruku had moved a motion seeking to develop a policy on funding for Junior Secondary Schools. He argued that CBC is a modern curriculum that will prepare the country for Vision 2030 and enable learners to thrive in a modern and ever-changing world.
“We must establish a comprehensive framework for curriculum development and ensure sufficient numbers of well-trained and competent teachers in our junior secondary schools,” said Ruku.
“In addition, we must make sure we have enough learning resources in our schools and a proper monitoring and evaluation framework. Not forgetting, the involvement of parents and the community in the implementation of the CBC,” he added.
The motion seeks, among other things, ensure that the MOE urgently develops a comprehensive Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) Policy in order to standardize and consolidate the guidelines outlined in the Basic Education Act (2012).
It also seeks to ensure the establishment and operation of JSS in every primary school as well as develop a clear implementation framework for the CBC at JSS level and provide a funding plan that supports the successful execution of the curriculum.
Making his contribution, the Deputy Leader of the Minority Party, Robert Mbui argued that while the concept of the JSS is commendable, its implementation raises more questions than answers.
“There is a need for the government to establish effective policies and facilities so that every child can seamlessly continue their education from primary school,” said Mbui who is also the Kathiani MP.
“I strongly suggest that students should complete Grade Six and then progress to Grades Seven and Eight within the primary school system before transitioning to secondary schools,” he added.
Nominated MP Dorothy Muthoni stressed the importance of the CBC adding that the development of a policy and adequate funding for JSS is crucial for the success of the program.
“It is extremely disheartening to visit schools and witness their inadequate resources and if the students who are transiting from primary school to JSS are to have their esteem, we must ensure that the classrooms are up to the standard of a JSS with well-equipped laboratories,” she said.
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