This archive report was first published on 13 September 2019.
Published on September 13, 2019, a new competence-based curriculum in Kenya has introduced market cleaning activities for grade 3 learners, sparking debate among Kenyans.
The curriculum, which aims to equip learners with practical skills, has seen young learners from different institutions leave the classroom to collect rubbish in nearby markets.
Images of the learners clad in improvised aprons and gloves, pushing wheelbarrows, and wearing gas masks to protect themselves from pungent smells have been widely circulated on social media.
While some netizens have endorsed the curriculum, others argue that it is hazardous and unnecessary for children to be involved in such activities.
Lord Abraham Mutai, a Kenyan social media user, expressed his concerns, saying, "This is the new curriculum In Kenya. We teach our babies how to collect trash in the markets etc. In China, Japan, South Korea, such babies are being taught how to manufacture robots, programming complex machines and manufacturing laptops. Clearly we are a third world."
Others, however, have praised the initiative, with @Dr Rowena Njeri saying, "I also saw the new curriculum has these stuff, including improvising the aprons from gunia and dustpans from jerry cans. They're required to do these duties and if they do at home the parent is told to take pics and send. I like it..."
