Seemingly, parents comprise a huge majority of those opposed to the continuation of the Competency Based Curriculum-CBC. Their complaints are in my view quite unfortunate.
Having personally been an architect of the transformation of the education system irrespective of the 8-4-4 system or CBC, there is something we should all know. We can’t any more continue being physically in the 21st Century, but mentally in the 20th Century. That is no doubt the main cause of most of the challenges this country has been experiencing.
The same include unemployment, corruption, greed etc. Obviously, they all contribute to the mediocrity continually associated with our nation. Ideally, in this 3rd decade of the 21st Century, the education system is being transformed so that our mentalities can be aligned with the 21st Century paradigms. How then can some Kenyans fight for continuity of remaining mentally in the 20th Century?
Of great concern is the situation of parents perceiving that they are being overwhelmed by responsibilities regarding empowerment of their children. And why not be involved? Don’t they largely contribute towards determining their children’s successes or failures in life?
Surely, the perceptions of parents can be disturbing, if we can consider this feedback from a university professor. “I notice that you have adequately dealt with career issues that I have found with students, over the years. You have also given good advice on lost dreams caused by parents, who force their children to pursue the courses they themselves missed out,”.. wrote Professor Jamila Hassanali of Pwani University, Kilifi on 08/10/2018. Having seen our concept (Career Dynamics in the 21st Century) online, she secured a hard copy of the same, thus the interesting feedback.
Personally, one of the influences that led to my re-entry into school as a mature student was that I wanted to be adequately involved in the empowerment of our children, at the various stages. Thankfully, I rightly achieved that feat as is evident in the epilogue of Career Dynamics in the 21st Century.
While one of them was pursuing a B. Com degree, he was constantly influenced by one of their Lecturers, peer pressure and others to specialize in accounting or finance. “How can one join university to specialize in such areas as marketing, which is easily practiced by hawkers?” The Accounting lecturer used to wonder.
In that regard, our son started pursuing the Certified Public Accountants – CPA qualification, while in 2nd year in University. This focus was of great concern to me, since I knew extremely well, the gentleman’s natural alignment. After continually counselling him during his second year, he eventually changed course and is today a seasoned digital marketer, who acquired his first job while in 3rd year university (Incidentally, the said lecturer recently acquired copies of our two publications not only for his interests, but also those of his children).
Further, our daughter was not so long ago, in a dilemma. She was torn between pursuing an administrative course as recommended by her bosses, or a Masters degree in her area of study or profession, which was her passion, right from the first degree. Upon seeking the dad’s advice, she pursued the Masters degree. After all, why not first advance her passion and later concentrate on general areas of personal development? Soon after completion, the girl was immediately removed from the field and transferred to the head office to concentrate on a senior research based position.
Whereas, I can go on and on, we all need to carefully understand our children and help them pursue their right empowerment pathways. This is articulated extremely well in our publication titled “Living Beyond be Survival; No More Tiptoeing in Life.”
Guiding the children appropriately will only happen if we all participate in their empowerment process. Nevertheless, being armed with the right knowledge is imperative. Seemingly, institutional managers have a role to play in toning down complaints on involvement by parents, which are no doubt defeatist, isn’t it?
FYI
Over the years, I have interacted face to face with all the members of this forum. This week however, I met one who I seemed unsure of whether he was still in the forum, since being transferred to another school. The good news is that he reminded me of not only having acquired our two publications, but also carefully reading both.
Since the principal is a passionate teacher, thus properly aligned, he fell in love with the advanced publication titled “Living Beyond Survival: No More Tiptoeing in Life” and has made invaluable notes from the same. Eventually, he easily acquired more copies of our publications for his current boys’ school, and is also considering the uptake of seminars. Definitely, this experience coupled with recent feedback on how 3 teachers re-entered university for more knowledge, after our June 2021 teachers’ seminar, in a Laikipia school, keep inspiring.our mission of empowerment.
Rgds
Mwangi Wanjumbi (MKIM)
Personal Empowerment Coach
Seasoned Speaker/Consultant Trainer on Strategy, Performance, Change Management and Leadership.
Competency Based Curriculum-CBC Architect
Author of 1. KICD approved Career Dynamics in the 21st Century, 2. Living Beyond Survival:No More Tiptoeing in Life
- The 21st Century Student:Are You Creating The Future Today? Also, Retired 5 Year Monthly Strategy Columnist (2013 – 2018) for The SME Today Magazine Phone 254772516210
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