President Uhuru Kenyatta addressed concerns on the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) during the general debate of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday, September 22.
Addressing other Heads of State and dignitaries, Uhuru steered off various complaints raised on the curriculum by stakeholders, resolving to praise it.
The President took credit stating that his administration was the leader in rolling out and implementing the new system of education.
He told the dignitaries present that CBC was poised to address the employment challenges in the country, adding that it is among the priorities set by his government.
"We have also delivered a national Competency-Based Curriculum and on universal access to schooling, which will further boost the competitiveness of our workforce," Uhuru remarked.
Uhuru noted that CBC, which is among his greatest achievements under the Jubilee administration, is aimed at preparing the country to produce decent and rewarding jobs.
"We are implementing ambitious programmes to prepare the country to produce decent and rewarding jobs. Our investments in roads, air and port infrastructure, and critical health care facilities throughout the country, are the most extensive and ambitious in our history."
His sentiments affirm the government's determination to fully implement the CBC despite several stakeholders raising concerns.
Education Cabinet Secretary, George Magoha, has been at the forefront in defending CBC claiming that it is the best thing that has ever happened in the country's education sector.
This is despite the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President, Nelson Havi, filing a petition challenging the implementation of the curriculum.
"An order of injunction be issued restraining the government from further implementing the Kenya Competence-Based Curriculum introduced through the basic Basic Education Curriculum Framework, 2017 and Sessional Paper 1 of 2019 on Policy Framework for Reforming Education and Training for Sustainable Development in place of the existing system and structure of basic education (8-4-4) codified under Section 41 of the Basic Education Act no 14 of 2013 and the existing curriculum in respect thereto," reads part of the petition.
Apart from CBC, President Uhuru noted that his government has worked to empower SMEs which has significantly increased self-employment and at the same time addressed the issue of food security.
"By next year, we will have achieved a 27 per cent reduction in malnutrition among kids under 5 years of age, created 1,000 agro-processing SMEs and 600,000 new jobs. We will also have recorded a 48% increase in agriculture sector contribution," Uhuru stated.
Moreover, he noted that his efforts to build bridges has helped his administration move forward smoothly creating a government of inclusion that he is proud of.
"Throughout my tenure as the President, I have led a nation that is marching forward to attain the “Greatness We Believe, Is In Us”. I am proud to have furthered that ambition by building bridges of unity and inclusion for all."
"I want every Kenyan to know and to be proud of how our nation, Kenya, is highly regarded in the Community of Nations," he concluded.
