Jubilee Party Deputy Leader Fred Matiang’i has faulted President William Ruto’s administration over the implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), saying the programme requires stronger leadership and oversight to achieve its intended goals.
Speaking on the state of education reforms in the country, Matiang’i argued that the government has not given CBC the level of attention and coordination it deserves, resulting in persistent challenges affecting learners, teachers, and parents.
The former Education Cabinet Secretary said the complexity and scale of the curriculum reforms demand a dedicated Principal Secretary whose sole responsibility would be overseeing CBC implementation, monitoring progress, and addressing emerging issues across the education sector.
According to Matiang’i, CBC remains one of the most significant reforms in Kenya’s education system and should be treated as a national priority. He warned that inadequate coordination could undermine the objectives of the programme, which was introduced to equip learners with practical skills, creativity, and competencies relevant to the modern job market.
The Jubilee Party deputy leader noted that education reforms of such magnitude require continuous engagement with stakeholders, including teachers, school administrators, parents, and policymakers, to ensure smooth implementation.
His remarks come amid ongoing debate over the rollout of CBC, particularly as learners transition into senior school. Concerns have been raised over infrastructure gaps, teacher preparedness, learning resources, and the capacity of schools to effectively support the new curriculum structure.
Matiang’i maintained that establishing a dedicated office to manage CBC affairs would help streamline decision-making, improve accountability, and provide timely solutions to challenges emerging within the education sector.
The comments are likely to add to the growing national conversation about the future of CBC and the measures needed to ensure its successful implementation as Kenya continues to reform its education system.
