The 8-4-4 education system has been committed to producing competent and well-mannered graduates and citizens but it failed to balance and cater for the literacy levels of all students across the country.
Literacy levels are low and substantially lower in certain regions, there was also the concern of literacy levels between public and private schools.
Children whose parents are educated beyond primary school tend to have higher rates of literacy and numeracy and therefore the need to find a solution and a curriculum that will cater for all students.
This led to Education being given attention and as a result the Competency Based Curriculum was designed by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development to replace the 8-4-4 system with the aim of churning out “engaged, empowered and ethical citizens”.
The president unveiled a new state department to oversee the implementation of Competency Based Curriculum.
The new state department for implementation of Curriculum reforms within the ministry of Education has been tasked with the roll of the new education system including recommendation of a task force whose report the president launched.
Speaking during the occasion the President said the Curriculum reforms over the decades will make Kenya’s education system responsive to the demands of the modern world, this is because it brings about freedom as opposed to conformity and empowers Kenyans to be better citizens by teaching children the values of citizen participation from an early age.
Competency Based Curriculum is learner- centered unlike 8-4-4 which is teacher- centered.
Elizabeth Angira