In recent months, Kenyan parents have been airing out their grievances on the difficult assignments given to learners under the newly launched Competency Based Curriculum (CBC).
The Ministry of Education, through the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD), noted that the homework and assignments given to the students should not be done by the parents.
“CBC does not make parents do homework. They are only required to guide the learners,” KICD chief executive Charles Ong'ondo noted.
He added that parents should be facilitating their young ones to work on the assignments independently.
The CEO highlighted that in the new curriculum guidelines, parents are required to enhance the learning achievements of their kids as guided by the teacher.
This comes as parents are complaining about the curriculum being expensive, as schools demand that they buy many learning materials.
"If a learner has been given an assignment and you the parent decide to do the work, then you are not helping him or her develop and acquire these competencies," Ong'ondo mentioned.
The professor noted that teachers, through homework and other assignments, help in focusing on seven core competencies for basic education.
He said school assignments are meant to ensure young ones have communication and collaboration skills - and are critical thinkers, problem solvers who can grow their imagination and creativity.
He noted that learners should also have a sense of citizenship, digital literacy, learn on their own and develop self-efficacy.
He also pointed out that it is through the assignments and engagements that learners meet the intended purpose of the CBC.
The KICD boss added that, unlike the 8-4-4 system, CBC has shifted from knowledge-based to focus on practical learning, development of skills and nurturing values.
KICD announced that it is working to resolve all challenges based on the feedback of critics and stakeholders.
This comes as a case was filed by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President, Nelson Havi court on Thursday seeking to stop the CBC implementation.
