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{
    "id": 1501857,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1501857/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 59,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Cheruiyot",
    "speaker_title": "The Senate Majority Leader",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13165,
        "legal_name": "Aaron Kipkirui Cheruiyot",
        "slug": "aaron-cheruiyot"
    },
    "content": "I appreciate the fact that this formed the very first thematic area that the President chose to address. There have been concerns about the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). It was rolled out in 2017, but continues to struggle. Seven years down the line, it has never settled in the minds of ordinary parents. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I remember that during the 2022 campaigns, this topic featured prominently and many parents were actually concerned that we were rolling out a curriculum for which we were ill-prepared, especially in the public sector and for which parents actually did not understand. There is something also that needs to be mentioned that despite their genuine concerns about CBC and what needs to be done about it, I also know that there are parents who have issues with it on the basis that it is so involving. So long as your child is a CBC pupil, as a parent you cannot afford to take your eye off their education programme because most of the time they come back home with assignments which they cannot tackle on their own. They need the help of the parent and that is a big issue to many parents. Therefore, it begs the question as to whether this curriculum is working for or against the citizens of our Republic. Mr. Speaker, Sir, important questions have also been raised in this particular speech about the standards of democracy, human rights and fundamental freedoms as well as the rule of law and transparency for which, later on in the speech, the President took time to expound and lay distinction. To me, if there is a topic that was so elaborately covered, distinction drawn and a way forward proposed, it is on this issue of the status of human rights. Mr. Speaker, Sir, regarding the whole conversation about fundamental rights and freedoms that many feel are under threat and what needs to be done about it, the President dedicated significant time in addressing that particular topic. If you read through the speech, you must appreciate the distinction that was drawn. This House unfortunately passed a Motion, which up to now we are yet to see the benefit of it. We asked our committees, including the Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights to guide the country on how we can exercise the rights of Article 37. That continues to feature in the President's speech, but the President is not a lawmaker. It is our duty. Many times, protests have ended up causing loss of life, property and so many other disruptions. As a legislature specifically, this is our responsibility, but we have not provided a roadmap for our country to enjoy these rights and freedoms without the normal debates that we have on how one can enjoy their rights without necessarily disrupting the lives of other citizens who may not share or partake in the issues that are of concern to me."
}