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Govt implements critical reforms to fully transition to CBC

As Kenya phases out the 8-4-4 education system, the government has implemented critical reforms to ensure the successful adoption of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).

The final Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams are set to be administered in 2027, marking the full transition to the CBC system.

Towards these changes, the government has shown unwavering support for the teams driving these transformative education reforms that are tailored to address current challenges and lay a solid foundation for a robust CBC framework.

Speaking at a media briefing in Nairobi, the Government Spokesperson Dr. Isaac Mwaura, said that the academic calendar for the transition to Junior Secondary School commenced on Monday, January 6, 2025, with the first cohort of Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) learners joining Grade 9, marking a critical milestone in the CBC system.

The learners are set to transition to Grade 10 in 2026, where senior schools will offer three distinct pathways: Social Sciences; STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), the Arts and Sports, according to Mwaura.

He stated that the reforms indicated the government’s commitment to a seamless implementation of the CBC system.

“To support this transition, the government has constructed 14,500 classrooms out of the targeted 16,000. This has been made possible through the disbursement of Sh11 billion to schools, alongside an additional Sh6.8 billion allocated to National Government -Constituency Development Fund. To accommodate increased enrolment and ensure a smooth transition for the CBC cohort, an additional 7,290 classrooms will also be constructed,” said Dr. Mwaura.

He also revealed that the Government is actively addressing teacher shortages in further supporting the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) transition.

Dr. Mwaura said the government has employed 56,000 permanent and pensionable teachers and 20,000 interns in order to reinforce the education workforce, while an additional 8,707 teachers have been replaced to ensure continuity in learning.

To further enhance the transition to CBC, he disclosed that the government plans to employ another 6,000 teachers in due course.

“These efforts demonstrate our commitment to providing quality education and adequate staffing for a seamless implementation of the curriculum to ensure every Kenyan child was taught by well-trained educators and had access to a healthy learning environment,” Mwaura affirmed.

Further, Dr. Mwaura said the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the National Treasury, is facilitating the timely disbursement of Sh48 billion in capitation grants for primary and junior secondary schools for the first term of 2025 to ensure uninterrupted learning.

Additionally, he said the Ministry of Education had procured 9,926,618 textbooks for grade 9 learners, and they have already been distributed to schools.

“To ensure all learners have access to the required materials, the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) has been directed to make certain that textbooks and instructional materials are adequately available in all schools,” said Dr. Mwaura.

Meanwhile, with the release of the 2024 KCSE results, he mentioned that the government has introduced a mid-year KCSE exam series, starting in July 2025.

This initiative, according to the Government Spokesperson, is designed to support students who wish to retake the exams or those who may have missed them due to illness or hardship, ensuring a smooth transition during the remaining years of the 8-4-4 system.

“Additionally, efforts are underway to integrate orbit readers and gradually phase out braille machines for candidates with visual impairments, demonstrating the government’s commitment to inclusivity,” he said.

On the other hand, Dr. Mwaura pointed out that the government has noted concerns regarding the reintroduction of banned levies in some senior schools, warning that action would be taken against those found culpable.

He reaffirmed that the government remains committed to delivering an equitable and inclusive education system that prepares learners for the demands of the modern world and that by addressing infrastructure needs, enhancing resource availability, and safeguarding learner rights, Kenya is poised for a transformative educational journey under the CBC framework.

By Michael Omondi

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