Universities urged to prepare for CBC

Universities have been challenged to hasten the adoption of the Competency Based Curriculum system to ensure the smooth transition of learners.

Dr Anne Kagunda, a senior lecturer at Moi University in Eldoret has said with the 8-4-4 system of education drawing to a close, there is need for universities to start making the changes required to shift into the new system.

Kagunda noted that the last class of the 8-4-4 system in primary schools is about to exit which will make primary schools entirely CBC-oriented.

Speaking at St Paul Thomas Academy in Murang’a, Kagunda also underscored the need for universities to train and retool lecturers in preparation for the new education system.

“This is where teachers who will teach in secondary schools and middle level colleges that will deal with CBC will be trained,” she said.

“This is why I am propagating the retooling of lecturers. The curriculum also needs to be reviewed to fit the requirements of CBC from the academic work to the more practical work of CBC learning.”

Kagunda noted that the transition calls for more involvement of parents and other stakeholders that she said should already be set in all secondary schools by now.

Parents, she said, should understand what is required of them for the new system to succeed and to help learners to shift their minds to embrace the new way of doing things.

The lecturer challenged the government to close the gap between public and private schools by providing the necessary facilities and equipment required for CBC to ensure public institutions’ performance does not lag.

“We are at a very decisive moment as far as our education is concerned and we must come on board to save our learners and teachers from the confusion that surrounds the CBC education,” she said.

She called for collaboration, consultation and cooperation among the learners, guardians and the government for the system to overcome the challenges it has been facing.

Kagunda urged parents to give practical assignments and manual work to their children to keep them busy.

She said most parents do not spend sufficient time with their children and abandon their parental role to house helps and grandparents, denying them the chance to know them.

“It is much easier for a parent to realise as early as possible when a child is going astray than anybody else and that is why it is very important for parents to take time to be with their children,” she said.

Pioneer Group of Schools principal John Gichengo appealed to parents to instil values to their children, especially during the long December holiday.

He challenged parents to teach their children to be courteous, saying such values could help them get far in the future.

Pioneer Group of Schools chairman Dr Peter Munga said the schools emphasise on practicals to help students learn how to do things themselves.

“Sometimes, we are producing people who cannot be able to fix a button or stitch a dress which is why we are prioritising the ‘do it yourself’ subject,” Munga said.

Munga said 20 doctors who are alumni of the school will offer a free medical camp at the institution for both teachers and students once school reopens.