CBC in Jeopardy If Treasury does not release funds required for implementation – Senate

NAKURU,Kenya, Oct, 8 – Even as the Senate committee on education hailed the Competency based Curriculum terming it as, “the way to go for learners,” there is fear that a delay by the National Treasury to disburse funds required for its implementation may hamper learning for scores of children.

A crisis may be imminent according to the senate committee on education as transition plans for learners heading to Grade Six next year in May may be affected since the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) is unable to procure learning materials.

During a meeting with education stakeholders in Naivasha, the chairperson of the committee Senator Dr. Alice Milgo said that the delay by the treasury could affect the learner centered and skill based, 2-6-3-3-3 (CBC) system of education.

“The senate committee on education is fully behind the Competency Based Curriculum as it will provide skills for our children but funding is turning out to be a new challenge,” Said Dr. Milgo.

KICD recently embarked on a review process of the CBC, which will be extended from pre-primary 1 to grade three. 

According to KICD Chief Executive Prof. Charles Ong’ondo, during a previous interview with Shahidi News, progressively, further reviews will be conducted based on feedback from stakeholders after the end of the five year implementation cycle next year when learners will have proceeded to grade six.

Professor Ong’ondo Friday however revealed that the institute has already developed a teachers and student curriculum for the next three years despite financial challenges.

The committee also expressed concerns over the lack of learning materials under the Digital Learning Programme (DLP) citing funding concerns.

Already, at least 21,636 public schools have been equipped with the tablets facilitating learning for the 21st century learner. However 1,191 school are yet to receive the digital tools of learning.

Dr. Milgo meanwhile commended KICD for the work they have done in implementing the CBC saying it was the best system for the current crop of learners.

Speaking at the event, nominated senator Dr. Getrude Musuruve also called on the government to fund the system properly while also catering to the needs of special learners.

“We are impressed by the measures put in place by Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development in making sure that students with special needs do learn,” she said.

Meanwhile Education Cabinet Secretary Prof. George Magoha, Friday announced that the government has disbursed Sh17.5 billion for the second term of primary and secondary schools.

Schools reopen for the second term on October 12,2021.

Primary schools will receive Sh2.2 billion, while secondary schools will receive Sh15.5 billion ahead of the re-opening of the schools next week.

The government has meanwhile embarked on the construction of 20,000 classrooms to ease learning for children under the CBC.