The impact of Social Media on Competency Based Curriculum Skills Acquisition Among pupils in Chesumei constituency, Nandi County, Kenya
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65222/VIRAL.2025.11.16Keywords:
Abstract
Despite the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) emphasizing the integration of digital tools to enhance skills acquisition, many schools in Chesumei Constituency, Nandi County, experience limited access to technology.. This technological gap constrains pupils’ effective use of social media as a learning tool, thereby limiting opportunities to develop key CBC competencies such as communication, collaboration, creativity, and digital literacy. The purpose of the study was to examine the impact of social media on Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) skills acquisition among primary school pupils in Chesumei Constituency, Nandi County, Kenya. The study employed a mixed-methods approach involving 200 pupils and 20 teachers. Quantitative data was collected through structured questionnaires, while qualitative insights were gathered from teacher interviews. Findings indicate that social media significantly enhances key CBC competencies such as communication, collaboration, creativity, problem-solving, and digital literacy. A majority of pupils (70.2%) reported improved communication skills, while 63.0% noted enhanced problem-solving abilities. Social media platforms provide a rich source of diverse learning materials and foster collaboration among pupils, supporting the CBC’s emphasis on holistic skill development. However, challenges such as poor internet connectivity (73.5%), lack of devices (61.3%), and distractions from non-educational content (50.8%) limit the effective utilization of social media for education. Teachers highlighted both the transformative potential of social media and the need for structured guidance to address misuse and ensure alignment with educational goals. The study concludes that while social media has the potential to supplement traditional learning and foster CBC competencies, addressing infrastructural and behavioral barriers is essential for maximizing its educational benefits. Recommendations include improving internet access, providing affordable devices, training teachers on social media integration, and promoting digital literacy among pupils. These interventions can help pupils leverage social media to achieve the CBC’s goal of developing competent, adaptive learners.
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