This archive report was first published on 21 May 2020.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect the education sector, the government is taking steps to enhance parental involvement in e-learning. This move aims to create a conducive environment for children to learn and develop holistically.
According to Mumina Bonaya, the Chief Administrative Secretary at the Ministry of Education, parents have a shared responsibility with schools to ensure meaningful teaching and learning takes place. Bonaya emphasized that parents are the first and continuing educators of their children, and they should motivate their children to achieve their full potential.
Dr Sara Ruto, the KICD Council Chairperson, underscored the invaluable role that parents play in the education of their children. She noted that parents are the first educators, trainers, and source of authority that a child interacts with, and helping them to identify their child's talent and potential creates an enabling environment for the school to build on.
Dr Joel Mabonga, the Ag. KICD CEO, highlighted the importance of parents in the success of homeschooling. He emphasized that parents are the ones at home with the learners during this time and should appreciate their noble role in the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
The CBC focuses on identification and nurturing of learners' talents and equipping them with 21st-century skills, knowledge, and attitudes. Under the CBC, values have also been integrated into all learning areas as a deliberate measure to promote not only a competent person but also a good person who can positively influence society.
As learning continues to take place at home, the government is working on modalities to create awareness about the guidelines on parental empowerment and engagement developed by KICD in partnership with other partners. These guidelines provide strategies on how parents can be encouraged to be actively involved in their children's learning and appreciate the various developments in the education sector.
