Ministry now focusses on next step in rollout of CBC

Education CS George Magoha at Mtihani House, Nairobi, on April 15, 2021. [Edward Kiplimo, Standard]

President Uhuru Kenyatta’s commitment to the implementation of the new curriculum was evident yesterday when Cabinet Secretary George Magoha lauded the progress as he released the results of the Kenya Certificate of Primary  Education (KCPE).

The CS met the president before the event at the Kenya National Examination Council (Knec) alongside the Principal Secretary for State Department of Early Learning and Basic Education Julius Jwan.

Magoha expressed confidence on CBC progress that is now being implemented up to Grade 4. Dr Jwan was part of the technical team that midwifed the curriculum reforms.

Compensation plan

Dr Jwan, Chief Administrative Secretary Sarah Ruto and Prof Fatuma Chege, the nominee for the position of PS for State Department for Implementation of Curriculum Reforms under the Ministry of Education, now have their job cut out.

If actualised, the CBC education will be the president’s legacy agenda.

Dr Jwan was instrumental in providing critical technical support and giving practical advice to the ministry as the government started to move to CBC, which is critical in rolling out the new 2-6-3-3-3 education system.  

Prof Magoha noted that despite the challenges occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic which affected schools’ calendar last year, his ministry remains focused to recover the lost time.

“On May 10th, the date set for re-opening for Third Term, where Grade 4 and Grade 1 will resume, will continue to monitor the trends of Covid-19,” said Prof Magoha.

Through the teams' efforts and input, the government rolled out the implementation of the CBC from Pre-Primary One (PPI) to present Grade 4. Grade 5 CBC will be rolled out before end of the year.

During her term at KICD, Ruto was in charge of developing the new curriculum that is now being rolled out in phases.

Jwan was the KICD chief executive before being made the Vocational and Technical Training PS.

He served under Ruto at KICD and he also oversaw the rollout of digital content which can play on any platform.

The focus will now be on the National Assembly to vet Prof Chege who, if approved, will oversee the implementation and streamlining of the CBC that is gradually replacing the 8-4-4 system.

Speaker of the National Assembly Justin Muturi, received the president’s communication on Chege’s nomination last month.