By Shadrack Nyakoe
The Ministry of Education has strongly refuted claims made by the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops that the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) is “crumbling” and raised concerns over the university loan scheme.
In response, Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba defended the curriculum, highlighting its progress and the significant investments made to ensure its success since its rollout in 2017.
Ogamba emphasized that the CBC is focused on developing learners’ potential, instilling national values, and integrating science and technology into education, all while aligning academic programs with industry needs.
He pointed out that the curriculum was not introduced in isolation but was shaped by extensive consultations, including input from the Catholic Church as part of the Presidential Working Party on Education Reform.
The Cabinet Secretary dismissed the notion that the CBC is faltering, noting that it has been widely supported, with over 93% of stakeholders backing key reforms such as the integration of Junior School within primary schools.
He also mentioned that the government has committed Ksh. 15,042 per student for Junior School capitation each year.
Moreover, textbooks have been distributed for Grades 7 and 8, and the distribution for Grade 9 began on October 23, 2024.
Infrastructure development is also progressing, with the government allocating Ksh. 17.6 billion for the construction of 16,000 classrooms for Grade 9, expected to be completed by December 2024.
Additionally, the government has employed 56,950 teachers for Junior School, with plans to hire 20,000 more by January 2025 to support the expanding system.
The Ministry also addressed concerns about the new student-centered funding model for higher education, which has been in effect since 2023. The model was introduced to alleviate the financial burden on universities, many of which were facing a combined debt of Ksh. 70 billion.
The government has already disbursed over Ksh. 41 billion in loans and scholarships, ensuring that the funding is directed based on students’ financial needs.
President William Ruto has appointed a National Working Committee to refine the funding model further, reflecting the government’s ongoing commitment to improving the education sector.
In his statement, Ogamba urged the Catholic Church and other critics to approach the education reforms with constructive feedback, emphasizing the importance of collaboration to ensure that the education system serves all 11 million learners across the country.
“The government has taken proactive measures and invested heavily to ensure that the noble objectives of CBC are achieved through seamless implementation,” Ogamba affirmed, reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to continuous improvement and engagement with all stakeholders.