Education Cabinet Secretary, Professor George Magoha has lauded the government for introducing the Competence Based Curriculum saying it is the best system for the children.
Speaking during a ceremony to award winners of primary school essay writing competition, Magoha challenged those opposing the CBC module to come up with a better syllabus.
The CS said that he will ensure the implementation of the CBC system of education becomes a success as the government has invested a lot in making sure that every child is treated the same when it comes to education.
“Unlike 8-4-4, the system is engineered to help learners identify their strengths and nurture their talents at an early age. Those opposing this system should tell us what alternative they have for the Kenyan child,” said Magoha.
The CS assured parents and students that text books are available for free in all public schools to ensure that learners have adequate resources.
“The materials asked for by teachers for the practical lessons are those that can be easily found at home, these exaggerations that we see on social media about this system is a lie,” added Magoha.
Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala praised CS Magoha for his tremendous achievement in the education sector.
Balala said, it is evident that the government is putting more effort by investing in education unlike previous governments.
“Some 23 percent of the total budget is invested in education. Kenya is the only country that a parent can sell a shamba or a cow to educate his child, that shows the seriousness this country has in educating its people,” said Balala.
Magoha hailed the initiative by Pwani Oil for introducing essay writing competition saying it will sharpen creative writing and critical thinking skills among learners.
“When Pwani oil came up with the idea of engaging upper primary school children to write creative essays using colors to express themselves, this was a perfect example of what the government is doing in schools through the CBC system,” he said.
In the completion, over 23,000 pupils from 11,300 public primary schools across the 47 counties participated.
Mwangeli Mulwa from Makueni, Denise Nguhi (Machakos), Mitchele Rono (Elgeyo Marakwet), Melvin Koech (Elgeyo Marakwet) and Emmanuel Okinyi (Migori) emerged the top five winners nationally.
The essay writing was sponsored by Pwani Oil Products Limited through its Sawa soap brand, in partnership with the Ministry of Education and the Kenya Primary School Head teachers Association (KEPSHA).
The competition dubbed “Colors in Life” aimed at sharpening creative writing and thinking skills among pupils in standard 6 and 7 and ran from July 1to 31.
KEPSHA National Chairman Johnson Nzioka hailed the initiative saying it would go a long way in improving the education standards in Kenya.
By Chari Suche
