A sensitization forum has helped parents in Suba North Sub County understand senior school pathways under the competency-based curriculum (CBC).
The forum was convened by an organization dubbed Homa Bay County Education Network in partnership with the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD).
However, the organization’s officials, Rolex Ong’ute (member) and Julius Omuga (Coordinator) said they realized that many parents have not understood the various pathways where their children would transit to.
Omuga said the new curriculum was different from the 8-4-4 system of education which many parents understood well which necessitated them to visit parents in various schools to bridge the knowledge gap on the pathways.
“Parental engagement is important in the implementation of the CBC. We’re explaining the pathways of the new CBC to parents and children to help them understand what it entails during transition,” Ong’ute said.
Speaking when they took the initiative at Osodo primary school in Suba North constituency, the educationists said the parents of the current Grade 9 learners should be well equipped with the knowledge on the pathways before they join senior school next year.
For instance, the main pathways are Arts & Sports Science, Social Sciences and Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM).
Schools for transition, they added are categorized based on performance assessment methods, which include internal continuous assessments and summative exams.
Prior to transition, they added, the government through the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) will provide a questionnaire for learners and check for slots (schools) available for placement.
Apart from that, Mr Omuga said there will also be special consideration, equity and inclusivity and geographical and regional balance and urged parents to attend such forums whenever they are convened.
“The meetings are beneficial to both parents and learners. All education stakeholders are required to be brought on board for a successful implementation of the new system,” he said.
Osodo primary school head teacher Melen Nyaboke asked the parents to provide their children with the necessary materials for learning, arguing that the CBC programme is mostly practical works and there is a need for parents to support their children when called upon.
“Learners are required to buy assessment books for keeping performance records. We’re appealing to the parents to help us implement the CBC effectively,” Nyaboke said.
Parents Eunice Adhiambo and Isaiah Ambogo reported that the meeting introduced them to the new education system.
“We have learnt different pathways of CBC which will enable us guide our children on the pathways in senior school. At least I have a glimpse of what CBC entails,” Adhiambo said.
During the function, the team distributed the CBC pathways fliers to the parents for reference.
By Davis Langat
