The Competency-Based Curriculum that was unveiled to replace the 8-4-4 system focuses on the ability of the student to learn alone and develop relevant skills, changing the emphasis from the tradition of chalk and talk teaching.
However, this system is inconveniencing illiterate parents and guardians who do not know how to read, use a smartphone and make creative arts.
This learning focuses on sharpening the skills of the child, so these children come home with different types of homework.
An instance is where Grade 2 pupils were given this as their homework: “With the help of your parents or guardians organize a crusade at your nearest market where you will preach and conduct prayers, take photographs of the events write a report and present in class.”
One of the pupils who is an orphan and stays with his grandmother had to take the homework miles away to a friend's house to get help because the grandmother is old, illiterate and does not own a smartphone.
Most parents are complaining hence they are the ones who tackle the homework for their children because they can't handle them by themselves.
Therefore, was CBC introduced for children or parents?
Even though it’s a good opportunity for children and parents to bond, for the children to learn and sharpen their skills, they should be tasked with what they can do independently without relying on their parents who should just chip in a little.
Children staying with illiterate guardians are therefore suffering, they mostly go back to school without completing their homework.
Teachers should therefore monitor their students closely, know their backgrounds and help them instead.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris
