​​​​​​​EXPLAINER: Six Key Developments on CBC Since Ruto Inauguration

President William Ruto (center) on his left Nairobi governor Johnson Sakaja and other leaders, on Ruto's right deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and outgoing Education CS George Magoha at the Komarock Primary on Wednesday October 12, 2022
President William Ruto (center) on his left Nairobi governor Johnson Sakaja and other leaders, on Ruto's right deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and former Education CS George Magoha at the Komarock Primary on Wednesday, October 12, 2022
Twitter
William Ruto

Whilst a section of Kenyans hoped that President William Ruto's administration would entirely scrap the Competence-Based Curriculum, the Head of State, upon assumption of office, affirmed that he had no such intentions. 

Worth noting is that the Kenya Kwanza Coalition had promised to review the curriculum during the campaigns arguing that it was hastily implemented and did not consider several concerns as regards its suitability.  

Since his ascension to power, President Ruto has vowed to enhance the efficiency of the Competence-Based Curriculum (CBC) and even formed a task force to carry out a study on its implementation.

Students participate in a chicken-preparation practical under CBC
Students participate in a chicken-preparation practical under CBC
Twitter

Here are the six key developments for CBC since he assumed power 42 days ago.

Formation of Task Force

Barely a month into his term in office, President William Ruto created a task force aimed at reviewing the efficiency of CBC. 

The task force was constituted of prominent names in the field of education whom the president banked on to address the bottlenecks of the curriculum. 

The presidential working party was designed to last for six months and was expected to issue progress reports after every two months. It will incorporate the views of, among others, parents and guardians who had raised reservations against the curriculum. 

Notably, the working party was tasked with not only recommending reforms to CBC but also to other disadvantaged areas in the education sector. 

University Dons Involvement

Two days after the formation of the CBC Working Party, university lecturers protested their exclusion. The dons, through the Secretary General of the Kenya University Staff Union (KUSU), accused President Ruto of violating the constitution by leaving out trade unions which they claimed are important stakeholders. 

They argued that the exclusion would mean that the plight of lecturers and teachers would be left unaddressed. 

New CS Nominee Blaming Magoha

Education Cabinet Secretary nominee Ezekiel Machogu faulted his predecessor of failing to address key concerns in the implementation.

The CS, during his vetting, noted that his ministry would work towards lowering the cost burden of the CBC on parents and guardians. 

New CS Nominee on Training Teachers 

The CS nominee also promised to spearhead teachers training on the fundamentals of CBC. According to Machogu, the team behind the implementation of CBC was in a rush to implement it and hence failed to adequately train the teachers. 

He noted that the new government would prioritize training upon the release of the final reports from the CBC task force. 

Abolish boarding schools

Calls to abolish boarding schools have also heightened in the first month of president Ruto’s administration. 

The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) called for the abolition of boarding schools under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) terming it as unnecessarily expensive. 

KUPPET Secretary General Akelo Misori stated that boarding schools had turned into selfish financial interests at the expense of parents and the overall quality of education. 

KNUT Faulted 8-4-4

The Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) leader Collins Oyuu faulted the 8-4-4 system for being exam-oriented. 

KNUT blamed exam-oriented education for the rampant lack of employment in the country. He added that the success or failure of the learners in life was determined by the two national exams at the end of primary and secondary education. 

"You have the knowledge and no skill at all. You, therefore, join the group of boda boda riders. In these places, you can easily become a thief out of frustrations," Knut Secretary General- Collins Oyuu stated. 

The sentiments by the Knut Secretary General are consistent with the propositions of CBC which prioritizes hands-on education and less focused on national exams. 

Education CS George Magoha signs a visitor's book after commissioning CBC classrooms at the Alliance High School on Sunday, July 31, 2022.
Education CS George Magoha signs a visitor's book after commissioning CBC classrooms at the Alliance High School on Sunday, July 31, 2022.
Ministry of Education
  • .