On exactly September 6th 2021, I delivered a copy of the 3rd Edition of the KICD concept titled “Career Dynamics in the 21st Century,” together with a forwarding letter, to the outgoing CS, Ministry of Education. What prompted this move? In my numerous interactions with educational institutional Managers, I have constantly been asked why I have not been invited to participate in the implementation of the Competency Based Curriculum. My answer has always been that in Kenya, it is about who knows who.
In any case, I am not a professor in any field but rather, an individual whose expertise on empowerment of human capital is well known. This is based on ability to apply knowledge acquired from the school system and additionally, on research prowess. That is why my concept on disbursement of the Youth Enterprises Development Fund was way back in 2006, utilized for the purpose, by the then Ministry of Youth Affairs. This was well covered by the media and also appreciated by the authorities in the Ministry.
Further, ideas shared in the concept titled ” Career Dynamics in the 21st Century were in 2016 used for architecture of the Competency Based Curriculum-CBC. As such, I had in the letter of September 2021 to the CS, requested for a meeting to discuss the implementation challenges of the CBC and what needs to be done. The same letter and copies of the concept were delivered to four other education authorities located in Ministry of Education, Jogoo House.
Only the policy department recognized and informally acknowledged my efforts in the transformation of the Kenyan Education System. In fact, the department placed the concept in the Resource Center for use as a reference for those undertaking educational research on Masters degrees or thesis on PhDs.
Meanwhile, I by now, do not need to bring out the challenges facing the CBC any more, since they are already in the public domain. A huge majority of Kenyans are waiting for the same to be scrapped and continuation of the 8-4-4 system maintained. Really?
If you have read Career Dynamics in the 21st Century, you may have understood a few things that are of critical consideration, with regard to implementation of the CBC. First, you must by now have known that the world has evolved through 5 eras. We are all in the 3rd decade of the 21st Century, but Kenyans are still mentally stuck in the 20th Century Paradigms. That is why more than 50% of Kenyan University Graduates are largely unemployable.
Secondly, it is now absolutely clear that the motive of CBC is simply to transit Kenyans from 20th Century Paradigms of simply acquiring knowledge through ROTE LEARNING to 21st Century Paradigms of application of knowledge. In other words, it is all about people discovering their natural orientations, so that they can eventually unleash or exploit their full performance potential. Only then will creativity and innovation lead to the desired personal, organizational and national wealth.
Unfortunately, the implementers of the CBC are products of the same education system that is undergoing transformation. They acquired papers and more papers in line with ROTE LEARNING, minus ability to apply knowledge.
Continued experiences in the education system have indicated to us that even policy makers have great challenges associated with application of knowledge. They can’t for example think outside the box as they attempt to solve ensuing challenges.
That is why the great idea of the Competency Based Curriculum -CBC is undergoing serious doubts on its implementation methodology. Sometimes in August, I shared some content on how CBC can seamlessly be implemented and forwarded the same to the policy department (see details @ https://youtu.be/5vIR69v50Ss). I still believe that the incoming education CS can embrace the same ideas and save the education system from the likely mess that is expected, as from January 2023.
For example, I had indicated that there was no need for CBC Classrooms being utilized for Junior Secondary Schools for Grade 7 students. Instead, grade 6 students could have transited to upper primary school in grade 7 and 8. Junior Secondary Schools could eventually have come up in grade 9 & 10 and Senior secondary schools in grade 11 and 12.
Alongside, the same teachers in Primary schools (of class 7 & 8) could have been prepared for handling the upper primary school students. In that regard, the content for Junior and senior secondary schools could have been contextualized into 2 years each and the other 2 years be accommodated in Upper Primary Schools. What is so difficult about this? Could the newly contracted CBC Classrooms not be used as workshops and other facilities for the CBC?
Seemingly, this country needs to learn a few lessons from Japan on CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT, mostly known as Kaizen, on how transformation happens. The good news is that if the suggestions shared here are embraced, the education system will be saved from gigantic crises come January 2023, isn’t it?
FYI
Our Bottom Up Empowerment Strategy continues inspiring positive change in our country. During the first and second weeks of October 2022, we already have 5 engagements in 4 different Counties. Interestingly, one is for teachers of a day school, one for students of another day school, whereas 3 are for different boys’ boarding schools. We shall appropriately share the activities as necessary.
Meanwhile, your school is also welcome for this unique Empowerment Strategy that continues flourishing in the Kenyan School System.
Rgds
Mwangi Wanjumbi (MKIM)
Personal Empowerment Coach,
Speaker/Trainer/Consultant on Strategy, Performance, Change Management and Leadership.
Seasoned Trainer of Trainers,
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
Welcome to our YouTube Channel under Mwangi Wanjumbi – Empowerment Forum
Recent Comments