Magoha dismisses critics of CBC

 Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Prof. George Magoha has described Competency Based Curriculum as the best thing which Kenya has and once again dismissed critics of Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) saying it was the best thing ever to happen to the country’s education system.

Speaking during graduation ceremony in University of Embu, Magoha said the push from some quarters to have teachers trained on the CBC again is an impossible thing.

“We have a duty not to confuse our over five million children by engaging in unnecessary debates”, said Magoha, adding that over 228, 000 teachers had been adequately trained contrary to assertions from naysayers.

Magoha said the training the teachers was adequately done for the new curriculum.

The CS said CBC is there to stay because it was focusing on testing competencies and skills of the learners other than ranking which has marred the system of education for long time.

The CBC has received criticism from stakeholders and also political class with them saying its implementation was rushed without proper layout of how the system will be run.

The section of critics says the new system of education is draining the pockets of parents as they are required to buy many learning materials which they are terming unnecessary.

The naysayers state that teachers were not properly trained.

The misunderstandings surrounding the CBC has seen Law Society of Kenya (LSK) president move to court to challenge the new curriculum.

According to him, the petition has been informed by cries from parents, guardians and teachers who argue that the new system is very expensive contrary to what they have experienced before.

Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Nelson Havi has already filed a petition in court challenging the CBC which he argues was informed by cries from parents, guardians and teachers over the huge expenses associated with it compared to the 8-4-4 system.

Prof. Magoha however called for petty and partisan politics to be removed from the education sector, noting that there was no turning back with regard to the new curriculum.

“There are no children in Kenya who belong to any political party, so let us be reasonable and rational and remove partisan politics from the education sector,” Prof. Magoha said.

Magoha also urged the graduates to be job creators not seekers.

University of Embu chancellor Prof. Musili Wambua urged graduates to use the knowledge acquired to employ themselves.

STORY By BRIAN MUSYOKA, EDITED By MUSYOKA NGUI