Education CS nominee outlines key CBC challenges, says solution is engaging parents

Education Cabinet Secretary nominee Julius Ogamba has highlighted several challenges facing the new competency-based curriculum (CBC).

Appearing before the Committee on Appointments on Thursday, Ogamba said among the problems affecting the sector is the lack of teachers, failure to engage parents well about the programme, and lack of infrastructure.

“I have listened to Kenyans on the issue of CBC. The issues that I have identified as challenges in the programme are three, there is a problem of lack of teachers, the engagement of parents in the programme and there's also a challenge of infrastructure that is supposed to be available to ensure that CBC is done properly,” he said.

Ogamba said the solution is to ensure that parents understand what is required of them when they are required to assist their children in the CBC.

“CBC is a good programme but it has not been understood fully by all the parties. One of the things that needs to be done is to unbundle the various elements of that particular CBC and have that particular information passed on to the public so that they can understand. The CBC is a good programme that ensures that the children who are learning benefit from their talents. Therefore, what would be done is to ensure that parents understand what is required for them to be able to assist the children,” he said.

On the issue of the new university funding model, Ogamba said he will ensure effective communication, especially to the parents and guardians on what the funding model is about.

“The new funding model is a model based on the MTI, where parents are assessed using the Means Testing Instrument so that we can determine what level you are. So the most vulnerable students get the highest amount, those who can fund get the equivalent of what they can,” he said.

Ogamba was the fourth candidate appearing before the Appointments Committee Chaired by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula.

He said he was suitable for the position since he has had a lot of experience in handling complicated matters in court.

“On my suitability for this position, I've had a lot of experience in handling complicated matters in court. I've also had the opportunity to understand what the education docket entails,” he said.

President William Ruto nominated Ogamba on July 19, 2024, following the dismissal of former Education CS Ezekiel Machogu amid widespread protests against the government.

He holds an extensive legal background, with nearly 30 years of practice and membership. He also holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Nairobi, a Diploma in Law from the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies at the University of London, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law.

In 2022, Ogamba and Machogu ran unsuccessfully for the Kisii gubernatorial race on the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party ticket, with Ogamba serving as Machogu's running mate.

However, the two lost to ODM's Simba Arati.

Last year in March 2023, he was appointed the new chairman of the Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC (KenGen) Board, a capacity he is still serving.