The implementation of CBC infrastructure aimed to construct over 10,000 additional classrooms, offering local contractors an opportunity to benefit.
In contrast to the 8-4-4 system, CBC moves away from relying solely on IQ testing as the measure of intelligence. Instead, it emphasizes acquiring competencies over content. CBC tailors learning to the needs and potential of individual learners, using a flexible framework that adapts to their demands. Kenyan schools introduced the curriculum as a pilot in 2017 and fully adopted it in January 2019.This shift occurred in response to the challenges faced by the previous 8-4-4 system.
The 8-4-4 Curriculum
In 1985, Kenya’s former President Daniel Arap Moi established the 8-4-4 system of education, replacing the 7-4-2-3 system. The 8-4-4 structure consists of 8 years of primary education (classes 1–8), 4 years of secondary education (Form 1–4), and 4 years of university education.
However, they have not updated the system since its inception.
As a result, the quality of learners graduating from this system has struggled to meet international standards, making it difficult for them to compete globally.
Challenges faced by 844 Curriculum.
One of the main problems with the 8-4-4 system was its emphasis on academic grades over practical skills. The system placed a heavy emphasis on theoretical learning and memorization, with little emphasis on practical skills development. This resulted in a workforce with limited practical skills and a mismatch between the skills required by the job market and those possessed by graduates.
Additionally, the 8-4-4 system was criticized for its rigid and inflexible structure. It did not allow for individualized learning and career paths. The system also placed a heavy burden on students. A large amount of coursework and exams leads to high levels of stress and anxiety.
Finally, critics also pointed out that the 8-4-4 system lacked inclusivity, as students from disadvantaged backgrounds often couldn’t access quality education due to financial and logistical barriers.This resulted in many students dropping out of school, particularly at the secondary level.
As a result of these issues, the Kenyan government began implementing a new system of education, the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), in 2019 aiming to address some of the shortcomings of the 8-4-4 system.
CBC implementation
When Kenya initiated the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) in 2017, it became clear that many changes would occur in teaching, learning, assessment, and the construction of additional classrooms.
In what is a major departure from the rote memorisation of the content of the 8-4-4 system, CBC aims at instilling core values and practical skills and competencies to ensure every learner seamlessly transitions from the school to the work environment.
As a learner-centered curriculum, CBC treats each learner as an individual, rather than just one of many in a class. However, with the current infrastructural and staffing inadequacies, it is impractical for a teacher to adequately guide each learner to achieve maximum potential at their own pace.
This implementation focuses on improving infrastructure and employing enough teachers to ensure that, by the end of every learning cycle, each learner receives maximum attention and guidance to develop most, if not all, core competencies. Without sufficient classrooms and teacher-learner interaction, many talented learners risk losing themselves in the crowd, as happened in the nearly defunct 8-4-4 system.One key competency of CBC is digital literacy, which aims to equip learners with the skills needed to access and create digital information.
Infrastructure implementation
The CBC infrastructure project was developed to address the need for more classrooms. The government mandated that only local contractors could win tenders for classroom construction, ensuring the community benefited from the change.
The program set the cost of building a single classroom at Sh788,000 in all counties. County and sub-county committees oversaw the progress of school infrastructure development.
So far, the Kenyan government has spent Sh3.3 billion on CBC classroom projects nationwide.
Education Cabinet Secretary Prof. George Magoha announced that they would build 10,000 CBC classrooms before the end of 2022, ready for Junior Secondary School students by January 2023.
Ecoconcrete is part of making this a reality by building a classroom a day using beam and block floor/roof slabs. Fast easy and efficient, installing 100 square metres a day. We have constructed several classrooms across the country using the beam and block slab technology, and with the advantages the system offers, many contractors have gravitated towards the precast solution. These advantages include.
Advantages of beam and block
- Savings of up to 20% of the overall slab cost
- Quick and easy installation
- No special skills or tradesmen are required
- Immediate working platform
- Durable (high-quality factory-manufactured precast concrete products)
- Can be constructed in all weathers
- Designed to resist rot
- Fire resistance
- Service pipes are easy to lay
- Clear spans up to 6m
Classrooms under construction using beam and block
Moreover, Ecoconcrete has helped the Government of Kenya deliver durable and cost-effective CBC classrooms on time, ensuring that the learner’s calendar remains unaffected.
Conclusion
The adoption of Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) brings new trends to the leverage of African education with the rest of the world. CBC’s emphasis is on the attainment of competencies among the graduates, which is fundamental to employability in the job market in a highly competitive world.