Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) executive secretaries, Musa Busienei. [Photo/educationnews.co.ke]
The rollout of the new education curriculum in public primary schools in North Rift hangs in the balance as teachers say they are not ready due to inadequate preparations by the government.
Tutors who spoke through their union representatives cited inadequate training, lack of learning materials, acute shortages of teaching staff and insecurity in the region for hampering the successful implementation of the 2-6-6-3 curriculum.
Four Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) executive secretaries, Musa Busienei (Keiyo North), John Cheberi (Marakwet), Martin Sembelo (West Pokot) Sammy Bor (Uasin Gishu) and Stephen Misoi (Nandi) want the government to address the concerns raised by tutors key among them, insecurity, before the rollout of the curriculum.
Busienei said most schools which border the volatile West Pokot and Elgeyo Marakwet counties where the rollout is supposed to take place have been deserted after teachers fled due to fear of fresh cattle rustling and banditry attacks a fortnight ago.
His West Pokot counterpart, Martin Sembelo echoed the sentiments, adding that the government should have looked into challenges faced by each county first before rolling out the new system for transparency and fairness to be seen in the process.
“For example, teachers in the troubled Sigor constituency have not received any learning materials. Worse, the majority of them who hail from outside the county have not reported to schools due to heightened tension following a recent attack where six people were killed and tens of livestock stolen by heavily armed bandits from a neighbouring county,” he said.
Although most schools have already opened for the first term, the new curriculum is yet to take off in several schools in the volatile region. “Ministry of Education officials have not toured most primary schools which border West Pokot and Baringo counties to assess the rollout of the new system,” said Cheberi.
Speaking to the press in Kapsowar town, Cheberi said there was confusion over the rollout of the new education system in the banditry-prone region as teachers are still using the old syllabus. He implored the government goes slow on the implementation, saying teachers who are supposed to impart knowledge and skills to the learners are poorly prepared.Is there a newsworthy accident, incident or event happening in Uasin Gishu that you want Hivisasa to cover? Tell us what is happening by joining this group and have it published.