Current concerns from parents on the delay in the release of textbooks for Grade 5 to Grade 8 in the Competence-Based Curriculum have finally been addressed. The Kenya Publishers Association assured stakeholders that the books will be ready by the end of January and cleared worries about the preparedness of the learners.
In a press conference, KPA Chairperson Kiarie Kamau called on schools to continue using the old textbooks until the new ones are in circulation. According to Kamau, schools would have no problems once the revised materials are released.
KICD: Textbooks Undergoing Final Corrections
KICD had earlier released the list of approved CBC materials. However, it said students in Grade 5 up to 8 would have to wait a little longer for textbooks, which are still being corrected.
“Books are undergoing corrections at the KICD and will hit the market by the end of January, with some expected in February,” the KPA chairperson said. Until then, learners are advised to continue using textbooks previously issued.
Why CBC Textbooks Delay?
According to KICD CEO Charles Ong’ondo, the delay was a way of accommodating recommendations from the public to help the CBC system. The revisions began with the government of President William Ruto, which has been engaging in reviewing the curriculum to ensure it is more effective.
Last year, there were major changes to help streamline the learning areas in CBC:
- Lower primary subjects were reduced from nine to seven.
- The number of learning areas at the upper primary was trimmed down from 10 to eight.
- Subjects were cut down from 14 to nine at the JSS level.
Achievements on CBC Materials Release
To date, there has been a phased release of textbooks in the CBC curriculum rollout:
- Grade 5 textbooks were the first, in 2020.
- Grade 6 materials came in 2021.
- Grade 7 books were published in 2023.
- Grade 8 materials became available last year.
Final Thoughts
The government has been putting more efforts into refining CBC to offer a better experience. While much as the delay in textbooks for the new curriculum could have been very alarming, assurances by publishers and KICD are indicators that the education sector is not far away from realizing its objectives.