THE SHOE THAT IS STRAIGHT WILL NOT STRENGTEN THE CROOKED FOOT, BUT THE FOOT THAT IS TRAIGHT WILL SURELY STRAIGHTEN THE CROOKED SHOE
As we navigate the new Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), we must recognize that the success of this system hinges not on external factors, but on the transformation of the persons;- The teacher and the parent. This version hinges not in extrinsic factors, structures and state of the art assets but in the persons whose names are teacher and parent, the facilitators and sponsors of the program. The CBC system is perfect in itself and the learner is extremely exceeding expectation as far as talent possession and natural abilities is concerned. The problem is not whether the learner has what it takes to succeed but how and who will unlock this potency in the child.
Its time I dissect this monitor lizard into parts for you not only to appreciate the CBC but fall in love with it and seize the opportunity that comes with it.
The problem lies not in the shoe but in the foot. For the CBC to succeed, teachers must embody the principles it promotes. This curriculum emphasizes skills, critical thinking, and real-world application over rote memorization. If teachers do not embrace this shift, the curriculum risks becoming just another framework that fails to resonate with students. It is the passion, adaptability, and commitment of teachers that breathe life into new ideas.
But look, Do we expect that one fine morning, teachers rise up from slumber and change their attitude, their methods, and acquire special skills? That mathematics teachers suddenly become musicians, CRE teachers suddenly acquire technical drawing skills and teach children how to draw? Do we expect the majority of our teachers who are computer illiterate to acquire the skills and suddenly become computer lecturers? Unless we realize that the problem lies not in the shoe but in the foot we shall continue demanding milk from a cow that didn’t calve. We must decide to invest in making the cow pregnant, allow it to calve then we milk it.
Schools must wholeheartedly own the CBC process. The shift must be 100%. It starts with the owners of schools, then parents, then teachers and finally learners. Parents play the most crucial role in supporting the CBC because the are the owners of the children. Its time to call a spoon a spoon and not a small spade {and not the other way round either}. Parents must pay the cost, teachers must work even smarter and learners must enjoy learning.
Let us remember that change starts with us. The shoe alone cannot straighten the crooked foot; it requires the strength and determination of the foot itself. As educators, we have the power to be that straight foot—willing to grow, adapt, and inspire.
KIYENG WILFRED
