Govt plans to exit OBE

By DULCIE OREKE
EDUCATION Minister Paru Aihi will fast-track the exit plan of the Outcome-Based Education.
Aihi said he supported the government’s position to do away with the OBE.
Speaking during FM 100’s Talkback programme yesterday, he said the education department was responsible for effecting the government’s position and he would need to get a briefing on the statutes of the exit plan from the task force setup for it.
He said it was the government’s position and his position. 
“We will make sure the OBE is gone and our children get back to the basics,” he said.
“There is no need to confuse or deny the children.”
Aihi said he would support the government’s initiative of the National School of Excellence to continue. 
“That is a smart way of doing things,” he said.
Aihi said K40 million had been released to all schools of excellence, except for Aiyura.
The schools received K10 million each and he said the money was to empower the schools to give an edge to students’ studies and compete globally. 
At its meeting in Wabag, Enga in 2009 the National Executive Council approved the schools of excellence concept.
Former education acting secretary Dr Joseph Pagelio said in a meeting last year said the NEC made the decision based on reports that the country lacked skilled scientific, technological and technical workforce needed to develop the country’s natural resources.