The CBC Controversy in Kenya: David Ndii Sparks Debate with Comments on Government Priorities

David Ndii, the chair of the Presidential Council of Economic Advisors, has caused controversy in Kenya with his recent comments about the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) and government priorities. Ndii’s remarks were made during an online exchange with a Kenyan who suggested using funds allocated to pay Chief Administrative Secretaries (CASs) for constructing CBC classrooms instead.

Ndii dismissed this suggestion, arguing that it would not significantly benefit the government’s campaign efforts in the next election. His comments have sparked mixed reactions from citizens, some disputing the arithmetic of classrooms and others appalled by the high number of CASs.

The transition to Junior Secondary School (JSS) in Kenya has been fraught with uncertainties, with many public schools facing infrastructure, funding, and teacher shortages. Some students have even reported that learning was not taking place in their schools, forcing parents to keep their children at home. With these challenges in mind, Ndii defended the nomination of Chief Administrative Secretaries, noting that every county is represented and that Luo Nyanza and other Azimio-leaning counties are particularly well-represented.

Despite Ndii’s defense, activists like Boniface Mwangi have accused him of insulting Kenyans for demanding accountability from the government. Former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, on the other hand, has come to Ndii’s defense, lauding his honesty and intellectual arrogance. Regardless of where one falls on the debate, Ndii’s comments have shone a light on ongoing concerns in Kenya regarding the government’s handling of education and other issues.

While the CBC was introduced as a new approach to teaching and learning, its implementation has been plagued by controversy and criticism. Many argue that the curriculum is overly ambitious and unrealistic, given the current state of infrastructure and resources in Kenyan schools. Concerns have also been raised about the quality of assessments and the ability of teachers to effectively implement the curriculum.

With all these factors at play, Ndii’s comments about government priorities are particularly salient. As the country heads into another election cycle, many Kenyans are questioning whether the government’s focus on political campaigning will detract from critical issues such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure. The ongoing debates surrounding the CBC and other policy initiatives suggest that these concerns are not likely to go away anytime soon.