Education Cabinet Secretary Professor George Magoha has warned against politicisation education particularly the Competence Based Curriculum (CBC).
The CS spoke days after the Kenya Kwanza Coalition led by Deputy President William Ruto, Amanai National Congress and Ford Kenya Party leaders Musalia Mudavadi and Moses Wetangula respectively questioned the rationale of CBC saying it was hurriedly implemented and the would discontinue on its implementation if the assume power.
Magoha blasted the political class saying they do not care about Kenyan learners.
He spoke while inspecting an ongoing school infrastructure improvement drive at St Mary’s Mukunike High School in Kangundo, Machakos County, yesterday.
“For those who are talking about participation, please give us a break and leave politics out of this. The parents should start talking about CBC loud enough because those who are in CBC are helping you better in the houses than those in the old system,” he said.
The CS told politicians to restrain themselves from education matters, otherwise they risked confusing learners.
“Let us support our children since they (children) remember what they see and hear. The old people are saying so many things which are going to confuse them,” said Magoha.
The CS said CBC is here to stay and it was time those opposed get used to the reality.
“But there is one thing I want to tell you. Nobody is going to dare and it doesn’t matter who he is to take our children back to 8-4-4. There is definitely no way you will take a class 6 pupil to Standard one to prepare for Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE), nobody is going to allow you…who do you think you are?” he added.
Led by Ruto, Musalia and Wetang’ula said CBC is a burden to ordinary Kenyans.
“CBC was hurriedly implemented without wide and genuine consultations with stakeholders and the new system is a big burden and an academic frustration to Kenyan parents.” Mudavadi said.
He stated that the initiative was launched in haste and without engagement with stakeholders.
The pioneer class of the CBC is currently in Grade 5 and will transit to Grade 6 in April this year.