By Abdi Ali
Published February 2, 2019
It is 28 days after Kenya launched its new 2-6-3-3 education system for early childhood and primary learners across the East African country.
Despite concerns among players in the education system over lack of preparedness for the competency-based curriculum (CBC), the Government rolled out the programme in pre-primary I and II and grades 1 to 3 on January 4, 2019, pledging to do everything possible to make it a success.
RELATED:Do Standardised Exams Enhance Learning?
Reiterating that “failure is not an option,” Amina Chawahir Mohamed Jibril , the Education Minister who had initially been opposed to the launch of the CBC arguing the country was not prepared for its implementation, said “President Uhuru Kenyatta and all relevant Government agencies will accord us the support necessary to implement this programme.”
Amina Mohamed had in her statement on the Status of the CBC delivered to the media in the capital, Nairobi, a fortnight earlier said the implementation of CBC was being postponed to 2020 on the recommendations of the multi-sectoral National Steering Committee (NSC) and National External Evaluation (NEE) on CBC.
RELATED:Kenya Changes Its Basic Education System
Then, Minister Mohamed had argued that NSC had resolved that:
- The CBC National Pilot be extended for one more year up-to grade 3 to allow alignment in implementation
- The launch of the National Curriculum Policy Framework be finalised in January 2019
- The Sessional Paper on Reforming Education and Training Sector in Kenya be presented to Parliament in February 2019
- The National Education Sector Strategic Plan for the period 2018-2022 be launched in February 2019
RELATED:Kenyan Media Ignore Live BBC Africa Radio Awards
- Intensive teacher training programmes across the country be stepped up
- A dedicated Fund for teacher training in the 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 financial years be negotiated
- Digital Literacy Programme be linked to the CBC to secure comprehensive training on digital literacy
RELATED:East African Community to Make Regional Trade Faster and Simpler
- An assessment framework with clearly spelt-out competencies be developed at every level, and
- CBC be rolled out in 2020.
Despite these concerns not having been addressed, Dr Mohamed made a sudden U-turn and ordered the roll out of the curriculum across the country, appearing to use an Executive Order from the Presidency, on January 3, 2019.
