Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) secretary general, Francis Atwoli wants the country to revert back to the 8-4-4 education system.
COTU argues that there was no justifiable cause to adopt the 2-6-6-3 structure proposed in CBC.
“We are of the view that we shouldn’t collapse the 8-4-4 structure, especially if the changes in the curriculum can be accommodated in the structure.
“As much, the major components of the CBC curriculum should only buttress the 8-4-4 curriculum,” Atwoli said .
To address challenges in the country’s education system, COTU wants an increase of funds remitted to institutions.
“Increasing the capitation towards education to promote the development of more local schools and thus a system where children don’t have to travel long distances in search of education.
“The government can understudy Australia to understand the underlying philosophy towards promoting local schooling,” COTU says.
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Atwoli wants the Ministry of Education to invest in recruitment, training and reviewing of teachers’ welfare which it argued was key to improving productivity.
COTU adds that CBC implementation will be hampered by the pupil-teacher ratio of approximately 56:1.
The union wants the government to conduct a market and economic survey to determine if the current prevailing conditions favour CBC structures without proving costly to parents and other stakeholders.
At the same time, COTU recommends a shift in university learning structures from skill-based to knowledge-based.
Atwoli further asked universities to improve their documentation to help the government monitor graduates’ progress.
“Universities should introduce and encourage work-study programs and encourage students to undertake research as research fellows and teaching as tutorial fellows,” COTU recommended.