Education stakeholders in Kenya are reiterating the need for the full implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) to better prepare learners for the challenges of the modern workforce. With growing concerns about the lack of essential competencies among graduates, these stakeholders emphasize the importance of equipping students with critical thinking, creativity, and practical skills that align with the demands of the global labor market.
Introduced less than a decade ago, CBC seeks to shift the focus of education from rote learning to fostering competencies that will help learners thrive in an increasingly complex world. Unlike the previous 8-4-4 system, CBC aims to provide a more holistic approach, emphasizing skills such as communication, problem-solving, collaboration, and digital literacy.
Despite its promise, CBC is facing a range of challenges. These include inadequate teacher training, the high cost of learning materials, insufficient teaching and learning resources, and a lack of necessary ICT infrastructure. Moreover, the teacher-student ratio remains a significant obstacle to effective implementation. While these challenges are concerning, education experts argue that CBC is essential for preparing learners to succeed in today’s job market and future opportunities.
Joseph Mureithi Ndung’u, Principal of Brillian Diamond School in Juja, Kiambu County, led the call for greater support to ensure the curriculum reaches its full potential. Speaking at an event held at the school, Ndung’u noted that CBC equips students with valuable life skills that extend beyond academics. These skills include creativity, imagination, collaboration, and digital literacy tools that are increasingly crucial in the digital age.
Margaret Wangari and Joan Wanjiku, both education stakeholders, added their voices to the call, urging the government to extend support to privately-owned institutions offering CBC. They stressed the importance of providing soft loans and other incentives to address the infrastructural challenges many of these schools face.
As the curriculum continues to evolve, stakeholders believe that overcoming these obstacles will enable CBC to deliver on its promise of preparing learners for both the present and the future.
