CBC vs. 8-4-4: Expert Analysis on the Superior Curriculum
Maurice Aketch, a deputy principal at Makini Junior School and author of several CBC-related books, has provided insights into the competency-based curriculum (CBC) system in Kenya.
He believes that the adoption of CBC was a crucial step in enhancing the country’s education standards.
However, he acknowledged that there are still areas of concern, particularly among those who remain skeptical of the system’s efficiency, even eight years after its implementation.
Aketch emphasized that comprehensive public sensitization is essential to shift the mindset of CBC critics.
He pointed out that the 2023 cohort of Standard 8 learners was the last to sit the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exams, as the Ministry of Education is in the process of phasing out the 8-4-4 curriculum, which has been in place for 38 years.
Criticisms of the 8-4-4 System
The 8-4-4 system has been criticized for its focus on achieving high grades, which has led learners to prioritize memorization over actual knowledge acquisition. This emphasis on grades has flooded the job market with individuals who are educated but lack practical skills.
Aketch highlighted that CBC aims to develop learners holistically, moving beyond academic achievements. Unlike the 8-4-4 system, which primarily encouraged cramming, CBC focuses on assessing competencies, skills, and values that students acquire throughout their education.
This assessment is conducted through various methods, such as projects, community service learning, portfolios, questionnaires, and research.
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He explained that CBC’s progressive, hands-on learning process allows students to demonstrate their abilities with minimal teacher intervention.
The curriculum uses a method called scaffolding, where complex concepts are broken down into simpler steps, enabling students to gradually master skills with decreasing teacher guidance.
Practical Examples in CBC
For instance, in cooking lessons, the 8-4-4 system would typically cover ingredients and recipes in one or two 40-minute classes.
In contrast, CBC transforms cooking into a month-long project where students engage in actual cooking under teacher supervision, thereby acquiring practical skills.
Similarly, in soil conservation lessons for Grade 8, students are required to create a model farm through community-based learning, applying their knowledge in real-world settings.
Aketch also mentioned that CBC allows learners to apply classroom concepts to real-life situations.
He cited an example in mathematics, where students are taken outside to measure distances physically, helping them understand abstract concepts such as converting meters to kilometers, rather than relying solely on theoretical explanations.
The government’s decision to phase out the 8-4-4 system was motivated by the need to address its shortcomings, particularly its emphasis on academic achievement at the expense of holistic development.
CBC is seen as a solution to these long-standing issues, as it equips learners with practical skills that are valuable in the job market.
Misconceptions and Clarifications
Aketch dismissed the misconception that CBC focuses only on practical skills at the expense of academic knowledge.
He explained that the curriculum has been revised to balance both aspects, ensuring that Kenyan learners can compete globally.
For example, CBC exams now consist of five integrated papers covering eight learning areas, such as Science and Technology (now called Integrated Science) and Creative Arts and Sports.
Aketch supported the decision to keep Junior Secondary School learners in primary schools, arguing that this is the best environment for their age group.
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He noted that these learners are not yet mature enough to integrate with older students in senior schools, where socialization peaks due to psychological development.
He also urged the government to continue retooling teachers to improve their CBC teaching skills and to increase public awareness about the curriculum.
He stressed that stakeholders and the public need to understand the benefits of CBC, as the country’s development heavily relies on its education system.
CBC vs. 8-4-4: Expert Analysis on the Superior Curriculum
