Government engages education stakeholders to address gaps in CBC

RODGERS OMONDI- KNA 

The Ministry of Education has initiated engagements with education stakeholders to identify and address gaps in the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).

The dialogue, dubbed the “2025 County-Based Dialogue on Education Quality and Learning Outcomes in Competence-Based Education,” began in Busia County and is expected to take place in all counties across the country.

Speaking at St. Anne’s Kisoko Girls High School, the Head of the Directorate for Primary Education at the Ministry of Education, Stephen Barongo, stated that the dialogue will provide stakeholders with an opportunity to understand the government’s efforts in implementing CBC.

Barongo added that stakeholders will have the chance to contribute their insights and suggestions to improve the curriculum. “We are here to understand the challenges and gaps in the implementation of this curriculum from the stakeholders so that we can address them and enhance the Competency-Based Curriculum,” he said.

He noted that the government has been working tirelessly to ensure that the transitioning of the Grade 9 students is successful. “This year, our first cohort transited to Grade 9. At the time these students were transiting, the government had built a total of 1,600 classrooms.

"The number of classes has increased gradually, and almost all children have got classes to continue with education. The government also ensured that these children have got teachers to teach them,” he noted.

The Western Region Director of Education Jared Obiero revealed that by the end of the term, all the Grade 9 learners will have classrooms for their learning in the region. “In Phase I, we constructed 435 classrooms.

In Phase II, we were allocated 835 classrooms, all of which were completed. In Phase III, we were given 1,022 classrooms, many of which are nearly finished in various schools. 

“In Phase IV, the construction of 640 classrooms has already begun. CDF allocated 643 classrooms, which have been completed. By the end of this term, all our Grade 9 learners in the Western Region will be in classrooms,” the Director said.

Busia County KUPPET Executive Secretary, Moffat Okisai, asked the ministry to ensure the retooling of teachers is done earlier. “Our children are transiting to Grade 10 next year, teachers in senior secondary have started to undergo capacity building and retooling.

"There is a gap there. In some schools there is a serious conflict between the school head teachers and the JSS teachers, how are we going to deal with this issue, this management gap?” he asked.

Busia County Executive Committee Member for Education and Industrial Skills Development, Beatrice Nakholi, said there is a need for retooling of ECDE teachers by the Ministry of Education.

“ECDE teachers must be certified by TSC before being employed by the county government by having TSC number. We want the ministry of education to consider them too for retooling so that they can handle our children well in their education,” she said.

Busia County Director for National Council for People Living with Disability, Metrine Wamalwa, requested mainstreaming of people with disabilities during the transitioning of the students.

She also raised concern about the streaming of lessons to the deaf students.

“When the Grade 9 are transitioning to Grade 10, learners with disability should be considered and given priority. We have been told about the streaming of lessons by embracing the use of technology, but my concern is about that learner who is deaf.

"These learners need a sign language interpreter who will help them. We should also put in place mechanisms that will help those learners who are blind,” she said.