Teachers, students and parents have all been left confused after the new curriculum failed to be rolled out in the last minute. Well a number of twists and reasons have been given for the major failure that led to the retreat.
Infighting among those charged with delivering the new regime informed Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed’s conclusion that the country was not ready for the learner-centred Competency Based Curriculum (CBC), which has been fronted as a better alternative to the current exam-centred 8-4-4 system. She has now deferred it to 2020.
Another reason turns out could be the huge finances that will be involved.The government requires Sh365 billion to start phasing out the 8–4–4 education system during the first four years of implementing the new curriculum.
An expert analysis of the cost implication revealed that some Sh90 billion is needed annually to roll out the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC).
It emerged yesterday that the huge bill would cater for preparation of teachers, recruitment of more staff and development of proper infrastructure.
The details emerged during a crisis meeting of the Multi-Sectoral National Steering Committee chaired by Education Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed yesterday.
The huge financial implications are part of the many findings of the National External Evaluation team, which was commissioned by the Cabinet Secretary in June.Do you believe this can also hinder the rollout of the new curriculum?
The 2012 Task Force on the re-alignment of the Education Sector to the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, popularly known as the Odhiambo Report, proposed a change in the structure to introduce technical, vocational, talent and general academic curriculum pathways in secondary education, to meet Vision 2030 human resource needs.
But, analysts say that, in stark contrast with former Education Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang’i who could push for what he believed in, the current CS Amina Mohamed is said to be more open to public views.
This might have informed her decision to announce the need to put on hold the roll-out hoping that the process might attract significant support from all stakeholders, if its implementation is slowed down.