The Atheists in Kenya society has written to the Presidential Working Party on Education requesting the revision of religious education under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
In a memorandum dated Wednesday, November 9, Chairperson Harrison Mumia proposed that the task force should replace religious subjects including CRE, HRE, and IRE with Philosophy and Ethics.
Mumia argued that the current system of education locks out other forms of human beliefs and values held by those inclined to other convictions.
“This reformed subject will include objective education about religious belief, but not to the detriment of other important philosophical and ethical perspectives like humanism, atheism, Buddhism, polytheism, naturalism,” Mumia wrote.
The society claimed that while religion covers a broad spectrum, public schools in the country only offer education in the CRE, HRE and IRE. He added that this gap gives a window for teachers to superimpose religious beliefs on pupils.
“The teaching of ‘religious education’ under the CBC provides an opportunity for those that do wish to convert from one religion to another in the classroom to do so,” the memorandum read in part.
Furthermore, Mumia argues that evangelical groups have been taking advantage of the gaps in the system and supplying schools with preachers instead of the subjects being taught by trained teachers.
While acknowledging that morality is an important value that must be instilled in learners, it is not tied to the religion at the hip.
The society argues that morality was forced on the basis of tolerance and appreciation of people who have different views from their own.
“A key aspect of citizenship education is to teach about “diverse national, regional, religious and ethnic identities in the Kenya and around the world and the need for mutual respect and understanding,” Mumia argued.
Athiests recommended that an advisory committee be established to guide the construction and content of the new subject supported by an expert panel of senior educationalists and academics.
In addition teachers, academics, employers, higher education institutions and other interested parties should be
consulted, but should not have undue influence on how education about religion is delivered.
Source: kENYANS.CO.KE
