By Ebi Kesiena
Kenyan Members of Parliament have moved a motion urging the government to develop a comprehensive policy and allocate sufficient funds to ensure the successful implementation of a new Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
According to the lawmakers, there is an urgent need for the Education Ministry, the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD), and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to expedite the process of equipping and upscaling teachers.
This, MPs noted is critical in ensuring that an adequate number of educators are well-versed in the CBC and are capable of training the students.
Explaining the motion, Mbeere North MP Geoffrey Ruku said CBC is a modern curriculum that will prepare the country for Vision 2030 and enable students to thrive in a modern and ever-changing world.
“As we respond to this motion, we must establish a comprehensive framework for curriculum development, ensuring sufficient numbers of well-trained and competent teachers in our junior secondary schools.
“We must also make sure we have enough learning resources in our schools and a proper monitoring and evaluation framework. Not forgetting, the involvement of parents and the community in the implementation of the CBC.”
Ruku added that the development of a comprehensive JSS Policy will regulate and standardize the guidelines outlined in the Basic Education Act of 2012.
He said the Ministry needs to do this urgently to ensure the establishment and operation of JSS in every primary school.
In the same vein, nominated MP Dorothy Muthoni stressed on the importance of the CBC and insisted that the development of a policy and adequate funding for JSS is crucial for the success of the program.
“It is extremely disheartening to visit schools and witness their inadequate resources and if the students who are transiting from primary school to JSS are to have their esteem, we must ensure that the classrooms are up to the standard of a JSS. Also, the laboratories should be well equipped,” Muthoni said.
