Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) Contemporary & Pertinent Challenges in Kenya
The provision of education is a fundamental human right that contributes to individual well-being and overall living standards. It plays a pivotal role in driving economic and social progress.
In line with this objective, the Kenyan government introduced the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) through the Ministry of Education in 2017.
The CBC was designed to impart holistic learning experiences, equipping students with 21st-century skills tailored for the modern job market.
While the CBC has made significant strides in reforming the education sector, it has also faced a range of contemporary challenges. This article delves into the pertinent and current issues affecting the implementation of the CBC in Kenya.
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Understanding the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC)
The Competency-Based Curriculum places specific emphasis on individualized learning paths that aim to identify a student’s abilities and skills.
This approach not only provides a more personalized route to course completion but also focuses on demonstrating learning through clearly defined competencies.
Key Areas of Contemporary Issues in CBC Implementation
The CBC framework has been structured around various categories to ensure it aligns with societal and economic demands. These categories are as follows:
1. Health: This category encompasses a wide array of topics, including HIV and AIDS, drug and alcohol addiction, non-communicable diseases, lifestyle-related health issues, first aid, and the addressing of dangerous cultural practices.
2. Social and Economic Issues: The topics within this domain cover aspects like environmental concerns, animal welfare, disaster risk reduction, gender issues, safety and security (including cyberbullying prevention, traffic safety, and counter-radicalization efforts), environmental conservation (including biodiversity), disaster risk reduction, environmental technology, and pollution.
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3. Global Citizenship: Under this umbrella, critical values such as integrity, peace, and human rights are discussed, emphasizing the role of global citizenship in the curriculum.
4. Life Skills and Values: This category is dedicated to fostering vital life skills and values, including self-esteem, self-awareness, stress management, emotion regulation, negotiation, assertiveness, problem-solving, and critical and creative thinking.
Contemporary Challenges in CBC Implementation
Despite the promising prospects of the Competency-Based Curriculum, its implementation has not been without its share of challenges:
1. Lack of Adequate Teaching-Learning Materials: The CBC places higher demands on resources compared to traditional curricula, including the need for textbooks, instructional materials, infrastructure, and technology.
Many schools in Kenya, particularly in rural and marginalized areas, face resource shortages, impacting the quality and effectiveness of CBC delivery and evaluation.
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2. Inadequate Awareness and Support: Implementing a new curriculum like CBC requires the active participation and support of all stakeholders, including parents, students, community members, businesses, and lawmakers.
However, a significant portion of these stakeholders remains unaware of the curriculum’s benefits, leading to resistance or complacency in adopting CBC.
3. Large Class Sizes and Teacher Shortages: Successfully implementing CBC in Kenyan schools necessitates substantial investments in infrastructure development to accommodate growing student numbers.
Additionally, it calls for the rationalization of teacher-student ratios and recruitment of additional teaching staff.
4. Inadequate Teacher Training for CBC: While many primary school teachers acknowledge the potential benefits of CBC, they face challenges in effectively implementing it due to insufficient training and a lack of necessary skills to deliver the curriculum competently.
There is a pressing need for comprehensive teacher training and ongoing support to ensure the effective execution of CBC.
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5. Assessment Standardization: CBC presents a unique challenge when it comes to standardizing the assessment methods used to evaluate competency and skills.
The curriculum’s personalized learning approach emphasizes mastery of subjects, regardless of the learner’s location, timeline, or path to completion.
Achieving consistency in assessment procedures remains an ongoing challenge.
CBC at a Glance: Key Differences
The newly introduced education system aims to replace the old 8-4-4 system, placing greater emphasis on complex educational outcomes—knowledge, skills, and attitudes that students will apply in their academic pursuits and daily life.
Here are some of the primary distinctions between the two systems:
1. Structural Transformation: Under the CBC framework, the structure of education shifts from 8-4-4 to 2-6-3-3-3, with students spending two years in pre-school, six years in primary school, and three years in junior school.
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Upon completing junior school and Grade 9 examinations at age 15, students can advance to senior school for three years. Notably, CBC reduces the duration of university education to three years instead of four.
2. Competency Building: In contrast to traditional chalk-and-talk instruction, CBC focuses on nurturing students’ growth through group learning.
It emphasizes not just rote memorization but the development of competencies and the understanding of core values and critical issues.
Fundamental Competencies in CBC:
The Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) is a contemporary educational approach aimed at equipping learners with the skills and knowledge needed for success in the twenty-first century.
The seven fundamental competencies listed below enable students to unlock their full potential in both their studies and life:
- Creativity and Imagination
- Communication and Collaboration
- Digital Literacy
- Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving
- Learning to Learn
- Self-Efficacy
- Understanding Citizenship
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In Conclusion
This article has highlighted the pertinent and contemporary issues surrounding the implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum in Kenya.
The Competency-Based Curriculum revolves around specific learning processes that focus on identifying students’ abilities and skills.
These contemporary issues serve as a critical lens through which education aligns with the evolving needs of society and the economy.
It is essential to address these challenges effectively to ensure the successful integration of CBC into the Kenyan educational landscape.
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Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) Contemporary & Pertinent Challenges in Kenya