Taskforce to decide the fate of CBC 'in next few months'

Education CS George Magoha speaks after launching CBC classrooms at Nile Girls Secondary School, on August 29 2022. [Esther Jeruto, Standard]

Kenyans will for the next few months have an opportunity to decide whether the new curriculum shall be implemented as it is or recommend changes.

President William Ruto said he will set up a task force to allow another round of public participation in the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).

"I will establish an education reform task force in the presidency, which will be launched in the coming days, which will collect views from all players,'' he said in his inauguration speech.

Dr Ruto said he had noted that there is a robust discussion on the changes, and that a decision will have been made before the impending transition of first group of the new system.

The government has been facing a transition headache.

The present Grade Six learners under the CBC are expected to exit primary education in January next year and join junior secondary schools.

Standard Eight learners will also sit the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education examinations this year and get admitted to Form One next year.

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''In line with the constitutional demand of the anxiety of parents on the twin transition of the last 8-4-4 class and the pioneer CBC class in January next year, I assure you all that there will be a solution to the matter before then,'' said the President.

He said the task force will be mandated to collate views from all stakeholders in the education sector.

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has celebrated the system as creative, and that it would help tap the potential of the children as opposed to examination oriented curriculum.

"My administration has progressively expanded the education infrastructure to accommodate the growth in enrolment. This includes classrooms, desks and chairs as well as electricity. We are laying a firm foundation, a foundation for our children that will not be shaken," said Uhuru.

However, education stakeholders have poked holes in the system, citing several shortcomings.

Kahi Indimuli, chairman of the Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association, urged stakeholders to look at the curriculum design to determine whether they are ready to accommodate junior secondary schools.

"We need to put all our thoughts as Kenyans together and we want to hear the voice of the principals because they are very critical in the management of education," he said.