Plans to implement the new competency based curriculum, next year, have been thwarted after the Council of Governors said funds have not been allocated by the National government. Via a press statement, the Council of Governors say they have not been fully involved in the implementation of the new curriculum in lower grades; considering education in lower levels is a preserve of the County Governments.
“Over the past 2 weeks, the council of Governors has keenly followed the decisions and announcements made by the Ministry of Education in regards to the National roll out of the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC),” says Governor Nanok, who is also the Chairman to the Council of Governors.
The Turkana County Governor, Hon Joseph Nanok, says Pre-Primary Education is a preserve of the County Governments and thus the counties must be fully involved in the roll out of the new curriculum.
“Pre-Primary Education is a County Government function as enshrined in the Constitution. It is critical to understand to this point, the National Government has not provided the cost of implementing the CBC. County Governments are not aware of the unit cost of implementing CBC per child and have no information on estimated costs of each mandatory component of the CBC,” notes Nanok.
While adding that the County Governments fully support the roll out of the CBC, Governor Nanok has asked the Education Ministry to involve them in the planning and roll out. “To this end, the Council of Governors urges the Ministry of Education to engage the County Governments to ensure that all decisions on the implementation of CBC in Pre-Primary level are reached through mutual consultations and agreements. Further, such decisions must consider and document possible fiscal and other related needs and risks,” adds Nanok.
Last week, Education Cabinet Secretary (Dr. Amina Mohammed) reversed her earlier decision to post pone the implementation of the new curriculum in 2019. Amina announced that implementation of the new curriculum will be done in January, 2019. With schools set for reopening next week for the new year, stake holders will be keeping tabs on developments at the Education Ministry in relation to the planned roll out of the new curriculum.
