This archive report was first published on 30 June 2019.
Kenyan Parents Struggle with Competency-Based Curriculum ¶
As the competency-based curriculum rolls out across Kenya, parents are finding it increasingly difficult to keep up with the demands of the new system.
Under the curriculum, parents are expected to take on a more active role in their children's education, with tasks ranging from taking photos of their children brushing their teeth to helping them convert a stick into a paintbrush.
Some parents have taken to social media to express their frustration, with one parent posting, 'Some parents didn’t even have the opportunity to step into a classroom (not their fault) but here are very technical assignments for them.'
Another parent lamented, 'How can a mother in ushago (the countryside), take a video of a child singing and send it to the teacher? Will this government give every Kenyan a smartphone?'
Despite the challenges, teachers are largely in favor of the new curriculum, with one teacher noting, 'I think this curriculum is the best, because children with learning disabilities will be identified early and we will know where they will go.'
However, some parents are struggling to understand the new system, with one teacher observing, 'Some parents need adjusting. They’re still causing problems and do not understand that there are more learning areas.'
The competency-based curriculum was officially launched by Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha in May, and is designed to impart practical skills and nurture a learner’s talents.
As the curriculum continues to roll out, it remains to be seen whether parents will be able to adapt to the new demands of the system.
