Gachagua assures CBC will only be streamlined and not abolished

DP Rigathi Gachagua (right) arrives in Kisumu for the 94th National Music Festival, on September 23, 2022. [Collins Oduor, Standard]

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has said the government has no plans of doing away with the Competency-Based Curriculum.

Speaking on Friday at the close of the Kenya National Music Festivals in Kisumu, he said the government will review CBC not with an intention of abolishing it "but with that of taking what is good and improving what is causing discomfort."

"This is to improve what is not favourable. We ask Kenyans that when a task force is unveiled, they should give their views instead of sitting home and complaining," he said. "It will be important for you to present your views on what should be done better."

Gachagua said the task force will address concerns raised by parents, teachers, learners and other stakeholders.

Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha had pleaded with the new government not to abolish CBC because it will affect millions of learners under the system from pre-primary one to Grade Six.

President William Ruto promised to form a team to collect views on how to streamline the new education system. There have been concerns that the new curriculum was rushed, and that it is burdening parents.

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta had said the implementation of CBC is one of the development milestones of his government but some education stakeholders have been criticising it.

Certain parents have also been complaining that CBC is overloading them and their children with assignments and expensive learning materials.