KEPSHA Conference Ends With Head Teachers Push for Tech Solutions in CBC Education.
The 21st annual Kenya Primary Schools Head Teachers (KEPSHA) conference, attended by over 15,000 head teachers from public schools, concluded with a resounding appeal to the Ministry of Education.
Education stakeholders urged the ministry to harness technology to improve communication on the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) to parents and teachers across the country.
Motivational speaker Wambugu wa Kamau, who has visited schools nationwide, observed a communication gap regarding CBC.
Kamau noted that information parents need from the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) had not reached them effectively.
As a result, he turned to social media platforms to educate parents about the curriculum and urged KICD to expand its outreach efforts by using social media and creating television programs that explain the CBC framework.
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Kamau emphasized that the implementation of CBC is already underway, signaling the nation’s shift away from the 8-4-4 system. He underscored that reversing this transition is unlikely, making effective communication essential for CBC’s success.
Support for CBC and Teacher Training Needs
Several head teachers voiced their support for the CBC, highlighting the need for resources to enable its proper implementation.
Julius Muchege, head teacher at Kieni Primary School in Tharaka Nithi, praised the curriculum’s potential impact, provided it receives sufficient support.
He stressed the importance of receiving adequate teaching equipment and called for retooling programs to equip teachers with the skills required for the CBC.
Otakamong Mathew, a head teacher from Kakamega County, addressed the need for more teachers, noting that staffing shortages force schools to assign teachers to subjects they are untrained to teach.
He also advocated for increased capitation funds for primary schools to ensure efficient operations and address resource constraints.
Curriculum Design and Textbook Challenges
Challenges related to textbook design were a concern for some educators. Lydia Murei, a head teacher from Nandi County, pointed out issues with curriculum designs within some textbooks, explaining that several subjects were recently merged under one curriculum framework.
She expressed the need for a unified curriculum design to streamline teaching and learning.
Bancy Murithi, a head teacher from Embu County, acknowledged the government’s support for CBC but mentioned ongoing challenges in curriculum adaptation.
She noted that at the start of the year, merged learning areas lacked updated designs, forcing teachers to adapt without proper textbooks.
Despite these issues, she expressed gratitude for the government’s efforts in constructing classrooms for Junior Secondary Schools, recognizing it as a critical step in supporting CBC expansion.
Key CBC Support Requests from Educators
To ensure the successful implementation of the CBC, head teachers at the KEPSHA conference recommended several actions:
- Enhanced Communication: Utilize social media and television programs to inform parents and teachers about CBC.
- Increased Teacher Recruitment: Address staffing shortages and assign teachers to subjects they are trained to teach.
- Improved Capitation and Resources: Allocate more funds for operational efficiency and provide teaching materials for CBC.
- Unified Curriculum Design: Develop consistent designs across textbooks, especially for merged subjects.
- Ongoing Teacher Training: Offer retooling programs to equip teachers with CBC-relevant skills.
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The educators’ feedback highlighted essential areas for improvement as the Ministry of Education continues its CBC rollout, with a focus on equipping schools and staff to meet the demands of the new curriculum.
KEPSHA Conference Ends With Head Teachers Push for Tech Solutions in CBC Education.
