Poor internet, insecurity challenges threaten CBC in Northeastern

Poor internet connectivity, insecurity and lack of teachers are the main challenges facing implementation of CBC in Northeastern.

Garissa Knut executive Abdirizack Hussein said unlike other regions, Northeastern has peculiar challenges that need to be addressed if CBC is to succeed.

Hussein spoke during a public hearing at NEP Girls High School in Garissa town on Wednesday.

He said internet plays an integral role in the success of CBC, yet Northeastern is way back behind in terms of connectivity.

The official said even though teachers have been equipped with the necessary gadgets, lack of internet has rendered the equipment useless.

“Even where there is internet, it is not reliable. This forces teachers to leave their schools and travel for long distances in search of the same,” he said.

“Every aspect of CBC has an internet component. Teachers have to download and upload exams and results. It may take days for a teacher in Northeastern to administer such an exam.”

Hussein further said their is an acute teacher shortage and in some schools one teacher manages 400 pupils.

“In my understanding CBC requires that we have as many teachers as possible to ensure it is effectively implemented,” he said.

Former NEP Girls High School principal Jawahir Mohamed said CBC is a very expensive curriculum for parents.

She said high poverty levels in Northeastern also makes life for parents a nightmare.

Mohamed further said drought has affected several households impacting negatively on the education sector.

“These are people who are struggling to feed their families. Telling them to provide learning tools or materials is burdening them further,” she said.

Mohamed however urged the government to secure the region so that non-local teachers can be posted.

Dr Wilson Kogo said the challenges facing CBC in Northeastern are the same across the country.

Kogo who spoke on the sidelines of the meeting said ICT, infrastructure and lack of teachers are the main challenges facing proper implementation of the competency-based curriculum.

Kogo while thanking education stakeholders, leadership and parents for coming out to present their views said his team was impressed by the turn out and issues presented were touching.

He said the school feeding programme issue also featured prominently.

Residents urged the government and the Ministry of education to step the school feeding programme to help retain pupils and students in schools.

The Kogo led team have so far visited Mandera and Wajir counties.

The 49-member taskforce under the chairmanship of Prof Raphael Munavu was constituted to seek public views on CBC and recommend appropriate structures to fast track its implementation.

The team is also expected to come up with a framework on how CBC will be examined.