This archive report was first published on 16 August 2019.
On Friday, President Uhuru Kenyatta addressed parents at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, where he officially opened the 3rd National Conference on Curriculum Reforms. The event was attended by prominent Ghanian Scholar and Deputy Minister for Basic and Secondary Education Dr Yaw O Adutwum, among others.
President Kenyatta emphasized the importance of the new Competency-Based Curriculum, stating that it offers the greatest promise for Kenyan children. He noted that the curriculum allows learners to develop their inherent talents and abilities, rather than focusing solely on passing examinations and acquiring university degrees.
“We put too much pressure on children to pass examinations and to acquire university degrees. Our children have no opportunity to grow as children,” said President Kenyatta.
He cautioned parents against imposing careers on their children, especially courses that may not be suited to their interests or abilities. The President encouraged parents to nurture the talents of their children, saying, “Let’s work together to nurture skills and develop talents of our children.”
President Kenyatta also highlighted the need for a comprehensive value-based approach to education, stating that curriculum reforms are necessary to ensure a quality education that provides learners with the relevant competencies to become competitive in the global workforce.
He commended the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) for training a total of 113,223 teachers on the new curriculum and challenged the Ministry of Education and TSC to maintain the training momentum.
