Universities welcome CBC reforms

 As Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) takes root with the formation of a taskforce by President William Ruto to review the new curriculum, the universities have convened to discuss how better they will handle CBC programmes to equip the graduating teacher with the relevant skills.

Prof. Geoffrey Muluvi of SEKU university (Centre) Prof. Daniel Mugendi of Embu university and Prof.Jacinta Kwena of Pwani University addressing press at the University of Embu. MWINGI TIMES/Brian Musyoka
 

The universities are gearing up to reform their education curriculum in order to accommodate students who will be joining the institutions since the first cohort of the new curriculum students will be joining secondary schools next year.

Vice Chancellor of South Eastern Kenya University (SEKU) Prof Geoffrey Muluvi while giving the keynote address at the 3rd Education Deans Consultative Forum held at the University of Embu said the universities should move with speed to provide students taking teaching course with CBC skills since the graduates should be CBC-compliant.

He urged the deans to harmonize the content they deliver to their students so that eventually there will be uniformity in the delivery of CBC.

"Here the discussion was based on how universities should start providing for CBC right now under the 8-4-4 system for the teacher education program because the graduates graduating now should be CBC compliance so that when they go to teach in secondary schools, CBC curriculum, they are not lost," Prof. Muluvi said.

The vice chancellor urged universities to take advantage of the new taskforce which was established by the president since they have an opportunity to present the issues which the institutions have been grappling with concerning the implementation of the new curriculum.

"It's time now for universities to come up with concrete recommendations on the areas they like improved or strengthened in the new educational dispensation," said the VC.

He also noted there was need to engage parents fully on matters of education for their children in the universities because of the changing social dynamics.

Prof. Muluvi said with the new unlimited freedom in the universities many students misuse it and end up losing the focus on the way.

"Universities assume these youngsters are adults who can manage themselves while in fact many are struggling to make the necessary social adjustments", he said.

Prof Muluvi, who is also the chair of the Vice Chancellors' committee called for a review of the university funding model for universities saying many were struggling with operations.

Professor Jacinta Kwena, Dean School of Education in Pwani University said implementation of CBC has had some challenges and that is why Deans from different Universities decided to come together in 2019 to have a combined effort to see how they could tackle some issues.

"It is very imperative for us as universities to ensure the teacher that we are channelling out is able to meet the challenges and need of the child," said Prof. Kwena noting that it is important for universities to restructure their programmes to meet requirements of the CBC.

University of Embu Vice Chancellor Prof. Daniel Mugendi expressed optimism that with the engagement by the Deans in different Universities and the formation of CBC taskforce by the president the curriculum is going to work.

''I urge the Deans to examine the issue of CBC critically so that they make constructive presentations to the task force,'' Prof Mugendi urged. 

STORY By BRIAN MUSYOKA