This archive report was first published on 28 June 2021.
On June 28, 2021, Gilgil MP Martha Wangari took to social media to share a photo of her child's CBC school project, which sparked a heated debate among parents and educators.
The project, which featured a drawing of a chicken with feathers, was meant to showcase the creativity and resourcefulness of students under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). However, Wangari's post highlighted the challenges faced by parents in sourcing materials and drying feathers for the project.
"Yani this CBC will show us things. You should have seen me looking for feathers, then they are wet... you dry kwa jiko ama blow dry. We need a hardship allowance, sisi CBC parents," Wangari posted.
Wangari's post was met with mixed reactions from parents and educators, with some defending the CBC and others criticizing the curriculum for placing too much burden on parents.
"These kids should learn to source for the materials they need and even do their assignments... Siku hizi ni wazazi wanahangaika ni kama ni wao wanasoma," Fentonce Kopande commented.
On the other hand, Chris Amollo praised the CBC for encouraging both parents and pupils to learn together.
"Great I like it when both parents and pupils learn," Amollo said.
One of the most insightful comments came from John Kivuva, who suggested that parents and children should work together to find creative solutions to the challenges posed by the CBC.
"The beauty of it is that all child parent have to think and be creative. Like in this case you should have planned for chicken stew for dinner, get feathers for project and flesh for dinner-done," Kivuva advised.
