Senators to grill CS Magoha over disputed Competency-Based Curriculum

Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha.

The Senate has summoned Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha over the current standoff on Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).

They also censured the tough-talking CS over the fiasco on qualification of students joining teacher training colleges, accusing him of exhibiting dictatorial tendencies in the management of the education sector.

The lawmakers said the Ministry of Education and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) are reading from different scripts, which could dent the successful rollout of the CBC.

They claim teachers and ministry officials are not well versed with the new curriculum.

The development comes as COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli said he is mediating between the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and the government over the new curriculum.

Embrace dialogue

“I was approached by the government to reach out to Knut. I have spoken to both parties and we are scheduled to meet Education Cabinet Secretary when he returns,” said Atwoli.

Atwoli said the softened stand by Knut is a result of his intervention through the mediation process.

It also emerged that the National Advisory Council (NAC) of Knut prevailed upon the union’s Secretary General, Wilson Sossion, to embrace dialogue.

Union officials who spoke yesterday said the NAC members asked Sossion to embrace dialogue and restore relationship with the Ministry of Education and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).

Sossion said some government quarters have tried to reach out to them through the labour centre.

“Let it be known that we have never and we are never opposed to the curriculum review. Knut is prepared to engage with the government and the ministry,” said Sossion.