Atheists in Kenya (AIK) Society have proposed the abolishment of Christian, Islamic and Hindu Religious Education (CRE, IRE and HRE) in schools citing its failure to provide a neutral learning environment for students.
In a letter written to the Director of Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD), Prof. Charles Ochieng’ Ong’ondo, on 20th September 2021, the society’s President Harrison “Nyende” Mumia suggests that in the wake of rising concerns regarding the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), a review of Kenya’s religious education system is also necessary.
“We would like the KICD to afford the country an opportunity to revisit, revise and appraise its religious education system, especially the teaching of CRE, IRE and HRE,” reads the document in part.
As an alternative for the existing options, AIK recommend the introduction of a new subject dubbed “Philosophy and Ethics” which they say will help students “better understand and explore the views and opinions of people whose beliefs and values differ from their own”.
Lately, unhappy CBC parents have been taking to social media to highlight challenges that they are facing as they assist their children with their homework.
Some posted how they have found themselves forced to learn how to make scarecrows and fashion clocks and even wheelbarrows out of cardboard.
Some of the complaints, using the hashtag #CBCMustFall, have been tongue-in-cheek, with amusing tweets with photos showing their questionable workmanship.
