CBC Far Inferior to 8-4-4, It Will Not Help This Country – Sossion
Wilson Sossion, former Secretary General of Knut, has expressed his concern regarding the new Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) that is being implemented in Kenya.
Sossion stated that the outgoing 8-4-4 education system is far superior to CBC.
He cited the lack of proper planning in the design of the new curriculum as a major concern and believed that the Presidential Working Party would come up with a solution to make the curriculum fit for the nation.
Sossion argued that the new curriculum was introduced for purposes of business expediency rather than to help the country and its education system.
He also mentioned that other African countries, like Ghana, did not borrow education systems from other countries, but rather developed their own.
In his opinion, the new curriculum is not going to help stem education in Kenya and the country needs a lasting solution that will design a curriculum that is ideal for Kenya and not just a pressed curriculum that was picked elsewhere.
Sossion also stated that he hopes the Presidential Working Party will provide a lasting solution in its second, third, or final report.
Despite the ongoing CBC implementation, Grade 7 learners have already started reporting back to their primary schools. Sossion’s statement, however, highlights the ongoing debate over the implementation of the new education system in Kenya and the impact it will have on the future of education in the country.
Junior Secondary Transition
The Ministry of Education in Kenya has announced that 1.26 million learners will be enrolled in junior secondary schools within primary schools.
The enrollment follows the distribution of textbooks and uniform directives, as well as the ongoing recruitment of teachers.
Cabinet Secretary of Education, Ezekiel Machogu, stated that the government has spent Sh17,423,514 on Grade 7 textbooks for each learner, which includes one textbook for core subjects and optional subjects they will choose.
The total amount spent on the distribution of books is Sh3.1 billion.
According to the Basic Education Curriculum Framework, the learners will study 12 core subjects and two optional ones.
The Ministry has assessed and approved over 20,000 primary schools to host Grade 7 learners. Schools were assessed based on enrolment and those that did not qualify will act as junior secondary feeder schools.
The first term of the school year will have 13 weeks, the second term will have 14 weeks, and the third term will be the shortest with 10 weeks.
Students will break from October 28 to January 8, and the Ministry has plans to reduce the number of subjects studied by Grade 7 learners.
The CS also revealed that no parent should be compelled to buy uniforms at a specific store.
He stated that the process targets all schools that have been identified to host Junior Secondary school after the conclusion of the recent assessment by the Ministry.
The distribution of the 17,893,270 copies of learner’s books and 423,514 copies of teacher’s guides for Grade 7 will take place from January 30 to February 17.
In conclusion, the Ministry of Education in Kenya has taken significant steps towards improving the education system by enrolling 1.26 million learners in junior secondary schools within primary schools.
The government has spent a substantial amount of money on textbooks and uniforms and has assessed and approved over 20,000 primary schools to host Grade 7 learners.
The Ministry is committed to providing the best education possible and is working towards reducing the number of subjects studied by learners.
CBC Far Inferior to 8-4-4, It Will Not Help This Country – Sossion
