Education Cabinet Secretary Prof George Magoha has impressed on parents and guardians to strengthen Parental Empowerment and Engagement with the children to encourage them in life.
Speaking at a handover ceremony of NG-CDF infrastructure worth 28 million shillings to the Government at Kiuu River Secondary school , the CS noted that Parental empowerment was the most important portion of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). It is one of the guiding principles of the Basic Education Curriculum Framework that cannot be ignored in the current education system.
He regretted that some parents and guardians could not assist their children with home on the pretext that they did not go to school. “Even me my mother did not go to school but she was able to parent me properly while guiding me throughout my life so that I am who I am today” said the CS
“My mother cooked ugali as I watched and as she guided me, I was able to do exactly that which I can do to my family. Do you see how I look like? He posed to the amusement of the invited guests.
He advised the parents to create time for their children and share with them basic ideas which would assist them perfect their inborn talents.
Magoha lauded the role of ACK St. Peters church elders and the community and praised them for recognizing the need for a secondary school in the area given that the nearest one at that time in 2014 was five kilometers away which he said was a long distance for young children to walk.
Parents play a significant role in the overall development and growth of the family. The extended family and community in a traditional society play a crucial role in the education of children. Nonetheless, the condition has changed in contemporary society.
Most parents are less likely to be engaged in their children’s parenting and learning processes because of a variety of factors that the CS said should be addressed for the good of the child.
“I urge parents to be close to your children. Spend at least 30 minutes with your child, listen and advise them. Parents who are involved have a positive effect on the learner’s overall growth in moral and religious values, academic achievements, and appropriate career options” said Prof. Magoha.
He noted that when parents accepted to play their role effectively, they ended up developing a fruitful partnership to promote children’s learning. He also added that the teachers and parents should conceptualize CBC to local areas and with things and activities that can be found locally
He further highlighted that from the National Treasury’s Allocation to infrastructure, Kiambu county schools have been allocated 306,500,000 shillings between 2018/2019 and 2020/2021 FY. This is indeed a worthwhile and massive investment in the county’s schools that will help improve access and quality of education in this county.
“The Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) is a legacy that H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta wants to leave behind. ”and major stakeholders should similarly embrace it for the sake of the children.
The Kenyan government has continued to invest heavily in education which is meticulously interlinked with the economy.
It is important that the leadership of this country recognize this integral position and are aligning the national and economic development with those of education so as to prepare the toddlers from an early age.
Besides equipping Kenyan children with the competencies needed to excel in the 21st century. CBC will empower Kenyans to be better citizens, the Head of State said during the unveiling of a task force report dubbed ‘Enhancing Access, Relevance, and Quality for Effective Curriculum Reforms Implementation’ that was launched on 9th February 2021.
“The purpose of the new system of ‘Learning to Learn’ is to allow our children to explore, innovate and unshackle their minds from the old and rigid molds of learning. This way they will be able to exploit their imagination, creativity, solve problems, use critical thinking, apply digital literacy and feel a sense of civic duty as citizens,” the President noted.
by Lydia Shiloya and Velma Mukhwana
