Incorporate Taekwondo in CBE, Mombasa stakeholders urge state

Headteacher Charles Anyang and coach Suleiman Chengo at Jeddys Academy on October 5, 2025 / BRIAN OTIENO

Jeddys Academy Taekwondo Club members on October 5, 2025/ BRIAN OTIENO

Jeddys Academy Taekwondo Club members on October 5, 2025 / BRIAN OTIENO

Reagan Mutua, Charles Anyang and Suleiman Chengo at Jeddys Academy on October 5, 2025 / BRIAN OTIENO

Taekwondo stakeholders in Mombasa are pushing for the sport to be incorporated into the Competency Based Education (CBE) curriculum.

The stakeholders including teachers, parents, and coaches and instructors from the Mombasa County Taekwondo Association, on Sunday said the sport instills high levels of discipline in children from an early age.

“The curriculum that is in place puts emphasis on talents and nurturing those talents. Taekwondo is one of the sports that bring very many benefits to learners, from discipline to fitness,” Suleiman Chengo, the Taekwondo coach and instructor at Jeddys Academy, said.

“This sport is fast growing and that is why we are advocating that it be incorporated into the CBE. Talks are ongoing.”

Speaking during a Taekwondo grading test for 40 Taekwondo members at the school, Chengo said there is a lot of Taekwondo talent in Mombasa, which has over 1,000 players.

Started in 2018 at the school, the Taekwondo Club at Jeddys Academy has dominated competitions locally and is now looking to start competing nationally before it gets into international tournaments.

Chengo said parents should particularly encourage their daughters to enroll in Taekwondo clubs so as to learn self-defense apart from getting the necessary discipline to avoid vices.

“The discipline in Taekwondo prevents a lot of issues, especially to the girl child. With discipline, one will not get into drugs, alcoholism, bad company, weed smoking, early pregnancies, or any other vice that is associated with teens who are sexually active,” Chengo said.

Taekwondo also commands respect from peers.

He said there are many girls, like Milka Akinyi and who participate in Taekwondo at the national level yet they were almost giving up in life because of lack of opportunities including in education.

“Some of the girls I am talking about did not get the education they deserved but because of the sport, they now represent the country in Olympics, something that would have been unheard of had they not joined Taekwondo,” the Taekwondo coach said.

He said many parents at Jeddys Academy are realizing the potential the sport has and are enrolling their children into the sport.

“Some players from Mombasa are in University courtesy of Taekwondo. They have been to international competitions in Germany and other nations and have been exposed because of Taekwondo,” Chengo said.

He called on both the national and county governments to support the sport and ensure no talent remains hidden due to lack of exposure.

He said just like in Athletics, Taekwondo has the potential to take some less fortunate children from grass to grace.

Jeddys Academy headteacher Charles Anyang said Taekwondo is one of the most active clubs in the school and has helped bring discipline among learners from an early age.

“Most children participating in Taekwondo are highly disciplined. They learn how to protect with integrity, not just protecting,” he said, adding the schools Taekwondo club has a membership of more than 70.

Apart from discipline, he said, the sport instills a sense of physical fitness that keep the learners active and fresh in the mind.

Ochieng Aduda, whose son Jacob Owuor, 11, joined the club at the white belt level, said he has seen changes in his son since.

“Our children nowadays are so engrossed in gadgets that they waste their time and bodies. But Taekwondo instills in them a sense of physical fitness and discipline.

“Most of the Taekwondo rules and regulations revolve around discipline and patience,” Aduda said.

He supports the idea of Taekwondo being incorporated into the CBE saying the sport should be given more attention and time than it is now.

“I have seen a great change in my son since he joined the Taekwondo club. He now completes his tasks on time, he never complains, and has become tougher generally,” a proud Aduda said.

There are white belt, yellow belt, yellow green belt, green belt, green blue belt, blue belt, blue red belt and red belt, at the school.

INSTANT ANALYSIS:

The CBE aims to align the entire education system with the goal of fostering skills, talents, and real-world application in learners. Introduced to replace the 8-4-4 system, CBE is a learner-centered model focusing on what students can do rather than just what they know, preparing them for 21st-century demands and offering personalized educational pathways based on interests and career goals.