Competency-based education transforms literacy for modern life
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Professor Syomwene Kisilu of KCA University explains that International Literacy Day prompts a re-evaluation of literacy’s purpose beyond simply reading and writing.
He argues that in the twenty-first century, literacy must empower people to understand the world, solve problems, and contribute to sustainable development. Traditional education systems, he says, need to move past knowledge transmission to focus on developing competencies, practical skills, attitudes, and values, that learners can apply to real-life situations.
Competency-Based Education (CBE) strengthens literacy by concentrating on what people can do with their knowledge. Through CBE, people develop abilities like effective communication, critical thinking, responsible digital technology use, and lifelong learning. This shift represents a change from seeing literacy as a basic educational outcome to understanding it as a continuous skill for living, working, and participating in society. Literacy also builds strong communities.
Competencies like civic responsibility, respect for diversity, and ethical reasoning are essential for inclusive, peaceful, and resilient societies. Kisilu suggests that higher education institutions must prepare teachers to facilitate competency-based literacy, emphasizing digital pedagogy, critical thinking, and inclusive education. He will further elaborate on these ideas in his upcoming inaugural lecture.
