Ministry of Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu on Wednesday, August 9, provided an update on the implementation of Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) before the senate.
While appearing before the senate on Wednesday, August 9, the CS gave a report on what the government is doing to implement the new curriculum.
Senator Peris Tobiko raised questions on issues pertaining to the new curriculum, asking what the government has done so far to support the implementation of the same.
”What is the status of implementation of the competency-based curriculum (CBC) particularly in the Junior Secondary Schools in view of the concerns that minimal or no learning is taking place,’ Senator Tobiko asked.
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The senator also questioned if and how the government is availing resources and proper infrastructure in support of the new curriculum in junior secondary schools.
Furthermore, CS Machogu was asked to provide per county details in terms of the implementation of CBC including capitation for learner resources, teacher to learner ratio and infrastructure put up.
”To what extent has the ministry availed resources to facilitate proper learning in junior secondary schools?” Asked Tobiko
“Could the Cabinet Secretary provide per county details of implementation of CBC including capitation for the learners in the schools, distribution of materials, teacher to learner ratio as well as infrastructure put up so far,’ the senator posed.
CS Machogu’s Response
In response, CS Machogu stated that the CBC implementation has been on since its introduction in 2017.
He further noted that the Presidential Working Party report provides views on whether the CBC was good for learners.
According to the CS, 51.2% of the stakeholders engaged proposed the retention of CBC with a review on the same.
Likewise, the CS noted that 9.6% proposed its retention without reviews while 21% argued that it should be discontinued and 12% proposed a reversion back to the 8-4-4.
The CS also acknowledged funding for the Junior Secondary to the tune of 15,040 per student and half of the funds have already been disbursed.
Moreover, allocation per learner is distributed for textbooks, laboratory materials, practical materials, and stationery.
”We have also spent Ksh3.2 billion on course books for junior secondary and we have also given a breakdown on how that money has been spent in each and every county in each and every part of this country.” Machogu added.
CS Machogu added that there was recruitment of 6,000 teachers as interns and a further 30,550 by the Teachers Service Commission to alleviate the increasing teacher’s shortage.
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In collaboration with The World Bank, the ministry of Education is planning on construction of integrated resource centers and sanitation facilities.
According to the CS, 1867 integrated learning and resource centers will be constructed for an amount of Ksh 3.36B.
The CS further urged Members of Parliament to utilize Constituency Development Fund on the infrastructural part in support of the CBC implementation.
