The introduction of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) raised controversy around the country and the debate peaked as the August 9 elections drew closer.
Its implementation caused some resistance, especially from parents and politicians who capitalised on the discussions to woo votes ahead of the August 9 elections.
While Azimio leader Raila Odinga threw his support behind the CBC, saying it was the solution to the country’s education system, President William Ruto maintained that the system needed to be reviewed.
Raila argued that the system promoted critical thinking, communication, teamwork, leadership, professionalism, and information and communication technology and had already been adopted in countries like Rwanda, Tanzania and South Africa.
He also noted that the current discussions surrounding the CBC system were healthy.
“I know that ultimately we are going to find an amicable solution to issues raised on the curriculum,” said Raila in one of his rallies in Kisumu as he called on Kenyans to fully back the system.
Even as he encouraged Kenyans to support the system, leaders allied to retired President Uhuru Kenyatta and the ODM leader called out Ruto for seemingly opposing the CBC.
Azimio politicians censured Ruto for “consistently disrespecting his boss” and accused him of failing in his role as the president’s principal assistant.
Ruto was accused of failing in his office by abandoning the President and resorting to succession politics.
Initially, the media had reported that Ruto would scrap the CBC but he clarified later on and said the system would be reviewed.
“Why didn’t he raise any objections at the Cabinet when the CBC was okayed,” Suna East MP Junet Mohamed said at a rally in Busia in February.
In his campaigns, Ruto welcomed the shift from the 8-4-4 education system to the CBC system.
Ruto, however, maintained that the CBD would need to be reviewed to accommodate concerns from parents, teachers as well as stakeholders in the education sector.
"As Kenya Kwanza, we support the progression from what we had as knowledge and exam-based education, only, to the new format of knowledge, skills and competence as well as value-based education," said Ruto when he launched the Kenya Kwanza manifesto on June 30.
A section of political leaders allied to Ruto's political camp were totally opposed to the CBC raising concerns that the Kenya Kwanza administration would abolish the new curriculum.
Former Nominated MP and former Kenya National Union of Teachers Secretary-General Wilson Sossion claimed CBC had disadvantaged public schools.
Sossion said the new education system was rushed and that state-owned schools are struggling to keep up.
Kenya Kwanza won the August 9 elections and as promised, Ruto constituted a team to review the CBC.
On December 1, Ruto received the report from the task force.
While addressing the team, Ruto called for support to pre-technical subjects, arguing that they were critical in actualising the Kenya Kwanza manifesto.
The report said children in Grade 6 should move to Grade 7 but Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) be domiciled with primary schools.
Ruto also urged the CBC task force to coordinate with the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) and reduce the workload on learners.