Narok administrator calls on state to ensure CBC is accessible to all

A school administrator in Narok County has urged the government to put necessary measures to ensure Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) is accessible to all learners.

Hellen Nkuraiya, founder and director of Enkiteng LEPA school in Narok South sub-county said the new curriculum is proving to be disadvantageous to pupils whose parents are illiterate and those who are pastoralists.

Speaking to the journalists at the school on Tuesday, Hellen said the CBC needs parental empowerment and to engage in the learning process to the learner’s growth and development.

“Most pastoralist communities like Maasai have been migrating most of the time with their cattle in search of pastures and water and at times prove hard to the learners because as a parent you are the first educator, trainer and source of authority for your child,” Hellen said.

While praising the government for the new system, Hellen said CBC, which is replacing the 8-4-4 education cycle, is good at focusing on the importance of a learner’s ability to develop skills and knowledge and applying those competency skills to solve daily life challenges.

CBC Curriculum Kenya was drafted by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD).

The curriculum was initiated in 2017 after being approved by the education ministry.

The education system replaced the 8-4-4 system. The school, which also rescues boys and girls from across the county, is among thousands of schools currently doing national examinations with 21 pupils (17 girls and 4 boys).

It is located at the world-famous Maasai Mara Game Reserve in Narok South sub-county.

While exuding confidence that the institution will perform well in the exams despite facing challenges of FGM, early marriages and child labour, Hellen said the institution has been excelling in the national exams and sending most of its students to national schools.

“Most of our students were rescued from retrogressive cultural practices like FGM and early marriages and we motivate them to fight their way out of the outdated vices,” said Hellen.

The director added that FGM and child marriages have led to a high rate of school drop-outs among girls.

“The girls are being denied their democratic right to education. It is against the law to marry young girls and those found continuing with these outdated practices, risk prosecution,” She said.

Hellen, who is also an anti-FGM crusader, said the locals should give equal opportunities to boys and girls so that the lives of the county residents are improved.

“Education is important and that will change the face of Kenya, socially, economically and politically,” she remarked.

Hellen also noted that once both children are given a chance to be educated, they would transform the community and tackle issues affecting them.

She praised the government for treating private schools and public primary schools equally when doing national examinations and schools’ selections.