A parent has petitioned the High Court seeking to suspend further implementation of the Competency Based Curriculum for basic education.
Esther Ang’awa, who is also an advocate of the High Court, says the CBC has imposed an economic burden on children, teachers, parents and caregivers. She cites instances of procuring course books, learning materials and curriculum designs 'without regard to the real dynamics of the Kenyan population and the needs of the society'.
The national rollout of the CBC started in January 2019 at Pre-Primary I and II and Grades 1, 2 and 3 in lower primary.
The 2-6-3-3-3 curriculum was billed as a game-changer in the country’s education system as it seeks to plug gaps noted under the 8-4-4 system. It is yet to be fully embraced.
Ang’awa through lawyer Nelson Havi says the legal framework necessary for the change of the system and structure of education recommended to Education cabinet secretary George Magoha and Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development has not been put in place to date.
“The entire process of conception, introduction and implementation of the CBC curriculum in basic education is undertaken in an opaque manner, without observing the law and participation of the people,” Havi says.
Ang’awa wants the court to suspend further implementation of the basic education curriculum framework 2017.
She also wants the suspension of sessional paper on policy framework for reforming education and training for sustainable development in Kenya pending hearing of the petition filed in court.
Ang'awa says Magoha's actions and that of his team are unconstitutional and prejudicial to the future of the children of Kenya and ought to be halted pending the determination of the questions raised in the petition.
“The effect of this overhaul and replacement of the system and structure of basic education is to designate a primary school as a secondary school without amendment to the Basic Education Act No 4 of 2013,” read the court documents.
She also sought to have the petition forwarded to Chief Justice Martha Koome to constitute a bench to hear the matter.
Those sued include KICD, Kenya National Examination Council, Teachers Service Commission, Kenya National Union of Teachers, the National Assembly, Interior CS Fred Matiang’i and George Magoha.
edited by Amol Awuor
