When a group of Kenyan journalists visited the Yexin Haohuahong Academy in China, they expected a cultural excursion. What they encountered instead was a masterclass in patience, precision, and possibility. Guided by Master Li—the revered papercutting guru—they discovered how a simple sheet of red paper could become a masterpiece, and how an ancient art can anchor both culture and livelihoods.
A craft that teaches more than art
Papercutting, or Jianzhi, dates back over 1,500 years. Traditionally used to mark festivals, its patterns—dragons, flowers, phoenixes—symbolize strength, prosperity, and renewal. In 2009, UNESCO listed it as part of humanity’s intangible heritage.
But what struck the Kenyan visitors most was not just the beauty of the craft—it was how it sustains communities. Artisans earn incomes by selling to tourists, teaching students, and showcasing their work globally. Here was culture, education, and enterprise woven seamlessly together.
The CBC connection
Kenya’s Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) was introduced to replace the rigid 8-4-4 system, with the promise of nurturing creativity, practical skills, and entrepreneurship. Yet much of the current debate focuses on the costs and confusion of implementation. What often gets lost is how CBC could be the very pathway to unlock Kenya’s cultural and creative wealth.
The lesson from papercutting is instructive
Cultural Preservation: Just as China passes down papercutting, Kenya must embed beadwork, pottery, weaving, music, and woodcarving in schools. These are not hobbies—they are heritage.
Creativity and Innovation: If a plain sheet of paper can become art, then a child can learn to transform ideas into solutions. That is CBC’s true purpose.
Livelihoods: China proves that cultural skills can pay bills. Kenya’s creative economy is growing—from fashion to film to crafts. Taught well, arts can move our learners from dependency to enterprise.
CBC will remain incomplete if arts and crafts are treated as optional. Government, schools, and counties must:
- Invest in training teachers in creative subjects.
- Partner with local artisans as resource persons.
- Create links between school projects and local markets.
Kenya has long debated whether CBC is worth the struggle. But perhaps the question should be different: will CBC give learners the skills to preserve our culture and create their own livelihoods?
Because just as Master Li’s scissors turned paper into possibility, CBC—done right—can turn our children into creators of culture, innovation, and opportunity.
Asha Khamisi is a Senior Radio News Editor at the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC).
