Chaos in CBC rollout normal-ministry, education experts

Chaos in CBC rollout normal-ministry, education experts

The Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) was first introduced in December 2017. However, many Kenyans still feel there is considerable confusion surrounding it. Questions persist about the transition of learners into Senior School, the assessments, and how placement into career paths will be managed.

Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) CEO David Njengere acknowledged the uncertainty of assessments under the new curriculum. “The dichotomy between the formative and summative assessments is taking time to be understood clearly,” Njengere said during this year’s annual KNEC conference at the College of Insurance. He added, “However, we understand that such misunderstanding is normal at a time of transition.” Njengere also mentioned that KNEC is engaging with stakeholders and the media to increase awareness about CBC assessments.

The last curriculum transition in Kenya was in 1985 when former President Daniel Moi established the 8-4-4 system, replacing the 7-4-2-3 system. Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) Director Charles Ong’ondo stated that before 1985, the country had no defined curriculum. He explained, “Technically speaking from a curriculum perspective, what did we call it? Arguably it was a need-based curriculum.”

Ong’ondo also discussed the minimal transition from A levels to universities back then, which partly motivated the creation of a new curriculum. He noted that during the implementation of the 8-4-4 curriculum, students in class 7 were simply told they would advance to class 8 the following year without being given clear curriculum guidelines or competency sets.

The 8-4-4 curriculum, initially intended to be skill-based, had shifted to a knowledge-based approach by the time it was phased out from primary schools. Ong’ondo praised the new curriculum for its personalized approach, saying, “We are created differently, and we have to nurture every learner’s potential.” He highlighted that KICD has developed CBC designs up to Grade 10, calling this progress, and noted that the first cohort of CBC learners is now in Grade 7 with appropriate print curriculum support materials provided.

Ong’ondo also mentioned that curriculum designs adapted for learners with hearing, visual, and physical impairments are available up to Grade 10. He reported that teachers for PP1, PP2, and Grades 1-7 have been oriented on CBC through continuous training using the cascade model. Additionally, special needs education curriculum designs at foundational, intermediate, pre-vocational, and vocational levels have been prepared.

Basic Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang acknowledged that some aspects of CBC still need to be determined. He announced plans for a conference with stakeholders to develop a transition formula for learners moving from Junior School to Senior School from Grade 10 in 2026.

Elijah Chelule, one of the first Kenyans to sit for KCPE, recalled challenges during the transition from A levels to 8-4-4. He noted that practical subjects like woodwork and cookery were initially exciting but highlighted that the curriculum was not well-defined, with a lack of books and trained teachers. Chelule believes the CBC implementation is better managed compared to the introduction of the 8-4-4 system.

Maria Gorreti Nyariki described feeling like guinea pigs during the 8-4-4 curriculum introduction, as teachers were unprepared. She noted that there was no pressure during exams and that teachers encouraged students to do their best.

Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu assured Senators that the State is prepared to seamlessly enroll Grade 10 learners as it phases out the 8-4-4 system from secondary schools. “I would like to give assurance that all the necessary preparations for Senior School, which will commence from January 2026, are in top gear,” Machogu stated.

Chaos in CBC rollout normal-ministry, education experts