Interview with Elly Ondiek, KEPSHA Nyanza regional boss on CBC implementation

By Peter Ochieng

Nyamasaria Comprehensive School was a beehive of activity on Wednesday, as the Nyanza Region Director of Education, Lawrence Karuntimi officially commissioned grade 9 classrooms at the institution.

The commissioning is a huge boost in the arm, for implementation of the Competence Based Curriculum (CBC) at the school.  

After the event, Nairobi Review caught up with the school headteacher, Elly Ondiek for an interview on strides made in implementation of the curriculum. Ondiek doubles up as the chairman, Kenya Primary Schools Heads Association (KEPSHA) Nyanza region.

NR: Briefly bring us up to speed with today’s happenings at your school?   

EO: We are here because the regional director of education, Nyanza, Mister Lawrence Karuntimi has officially commissioned our grade nine classes. I want to sincerely thank the government of Kenya through the ministry of Education. We were given seven classrooms and we have completed them.

I want to thank the contractor because he has done a good job. I am thanking the Kenya government because apart from the seven classrooms, we have received all the books, while the Teachers Service Commission gave us three science and math’s teachers.

We have a laboratory that even other primary schools or high schools can even come and use. So, the government has done a lot, and we appreciate it. I've gotten an opportunity to walk in so many schools in Nyanza. I want to appreciate what our head teachers are doing, and I want to assure the government that we will never let you down. Good work is going on in our schools.

NR: What was the duration of putting up these classrooms, and what was the estimated cost?

EO: Estimated cost is Sh7 million, which means each classroom did cost Sh1 million. Actually, the work ought to have taken two months, but it took a little longer than that given that we hosted KCSE. We took a whole month when the work was not going on because of the exams.

NR: Some schools still lack grade 9 classrooms as we speak. What should be done to ensure the infrastructure is in place as soon as possible?

EO: If I look at the program that the government is having, like take for example Kisumu County, all schools have been covered. It is only the level that is different. Some have finished. Some are halfway. Some are three quarters. Some are on the ground breaking level.

I want to believe that by the end of this January, if I'm not wrong, over 80% will be done, and by the end of term one, no school will be lacking grade 9 classrooms.

NR: How many grade 9 students do you have?

EO: I have 310, with 12 teachers given by the Teacher Service Commission.

NR: Finally, what is your assurance to a parent on the implementation of CBC?

EO: My assurance to my parents and all the other parents in this republic is that CBC is the best curriculum.

I'm one of the pioneer trainers of CBC and I understand CBC so well. So, my assurance to the public, to all the parents, is that your children are in good hands. Just give the schools all the support that you can, as the government does its part.