MPs give approval to 2-6-3-3 system

Tinderet MP Julius Melly, who is the Chairperson Departmental Committee on Education and Research speaking at Safari park hotel during a consultative forum on the status of University Education in Kenya. [Wilberforce Okwiri, Standard]

Parliament has given the new system of education a clean bill of health amid wrangling between the Government and critics on how it was rolled out.  

On Tuesday, MPs approved Sessional Paper No. 1 of 2019, thus effectively ending the 8-4-4 system of education.

The new 2-6-3-3 system of education, commonly referred to as the Competence-Based Curriculum (CBC), is already being implemented.

Critics have, however, said it was rushed even before the policy was presented to Parliament for approval.  

The CBC has encountered challenges, among them disrupted teacher training and confusion on the mode of learner assessment.

But MPs said the new system is the 'magic bullet' that will address the ills of the 8-4-4 system, variously dismissed as exam-based and a burden to learners.

National Assembly Education Committee chair Julius Melly (pictured) said the CBC is good because it lays emphasis on learners’ talents.

“God has endowed our children in different ways. Some children are good at football and will not be scientists. Others are good musicians and can earn a living through it. The CBC is one of the best systems but we need to do a little more panel beating,” Mr Melly said.

Malava MP Malulu Injendi said the CBC will help learners focus on their strengths.

“There are those who are not very good in mathematics, history and other subjects but are good at technical work. This sessional paper will enable them to take the technical route all the way to doctorate level,” he said.

A sessional paper provides a policy framework on which a government programme is anchored.

An initial version presented to Parliament early this year was sent back to the Ministry of Education after the House team said it had gaps that needed to be addressed.

The revised version was tabled in the House in August.

Apart from criticism that the CBC was rolled out in a rush, critics have also faulted the system for failing to follow international standards for education reforms.