Members of Parliament  are urging the Government to develop a comprehensive policy and allocate sufficient funds to ensure the successful implementation of the new Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).

While acknowledging the positive step taken with the introduction of the CBC, the lawmakers emphasized the need for the Ministry of Education (MOE), the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD), and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to expedite the process of retooling teachers. 

According to the Members who were contributing to a Motion by Hon. Geoffrey Ruku (Mbeere North)  this is crucial in ensuring an adequate number of educators who are well-versed in the CBC and therefore, capable of effectively delivering the curriculum.

Hon. Ruku, moved a Motion seeking to develop a policy on funding for Junior Secondary Schools. According to him the CBC is a modern curriculum that will prepare the country for Vision 2030 and enable students to thrive in a modern and ever-changing world.

“We must establish a comprehensive framework for curriculum development and  ensure sufficient numbers of well-trained and competent teachers in our junior secondary schools,” said Hon. Ruku.

“In addition, we must make sure we have enough learning resources in our schools and a proper monitoring and evaluation framework. Not forgetting, the involvement of parents and the community in the implementation of the CBC,” he added.

Hon Ruku’s Motion, seeks among other interventions, that the Ministry of Education urgently develops a comprehensive Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) Policy in order to standardize and consolidate the guidelines outlined in the Basic Education Act (2012), ensuring the establishment and operation of JSS in every primary school as well as develop a clear implementation framework for the CBC at JSS level and provide a funding plan that supports the successful execution of the curriculum. 

Making his contribution, the Deputy Leader of the Minority Party, Hon. Robert Mbui (Kathiani) argued that while the concept of the JSS is commendable, its implementation raises more questions than answers.

“There is a need for the Government to establish effective policies and facilities so that every child can seamlessly continue their education from primary school,” said Hon. Mbui. 

“I strongly suggest that students should complete Grade Six and then progress to Grades Seven and Eight within the primary school system before transitioning to secondary schools,” he added.

According to him, this approach is feasible since every primary school already accommodates students up to Grade Eight and therefore all that is required is the addition of one extra level, which would take approximately one and a half years. 

 Hon. Dorothy Muthoni (Nominated) stressed the importance of the CBC adding that the development of a policy and adequate funding for JSS is crucial for the success of the program.

“It is extremely disheartening to visit schools and witness their inadequate resources and if the students who are transiting from primary school to JSS are to have their esteem, we must ensure that the classrooms are up to the standard of a JSS with well equipped laboratories,” she said.