Key Reforms Supporting the CBC Transition: A Milestone in Kenya’s Education System
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By Njeri Irungu.
Nairobi, January 6, 2025 – Kenya has embarked on a transformative journey in its education sector with the official commencement of the academic calendar for Junior Secondary School under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). On Monday, the first cohort of CBC learners transitioned to Grade 9, marking a significant milestone in the country’s education reform efforts. These learners are expected to advance to Grade 10 in 2026, where they will choose from three specialized pathways: Social Sciences, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), and Arts and Sports.
Speaking during a press briefing, Government Spokesperson Dr. Isaac Mwaura highlighted the government’s commitment to ensuring a seamless transition and effective 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 Kshs. 11 billion directly to schools and an additional Kshs. 6.8 billion allocated to the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF),” said Dr. Mwaura. “Moreover, an extra 7,290 classrooms will be constructed to accommodate the increasing enrollment and ensure every child has access to quality education facilities.”
Dr. Mwaura also addressed efforts to tackle teacher shortages, emphasizing that the government has recruited 56,000 permanent and pensionable teachers, alongside 20,000 interns, to strengthen the education workforce. Additionally, 8,707 teachers have been replaced to ensure continuity in learning, and plans are underway to employ an additional 6,000 teachers to further bolster the CBC transition.
“To guarantee uninterrupted learning, the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the National Treasury, has facilitated the timely disbursement of Kshs. 48 billion in capitation grants for primary and junior secondary schools for Term 1 of 2025,” Dr. Mwaura stated. “These funds will be distributed using NEMIS data to enhance accuracy and efficiency.”
As part of the government’s commitment to providing adequate learning materials, the Ministry of Education has procured and distributed 9,926,618 textbooks for Grade 9 learners. The Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) has been tasked with ensuring that all schools receive the necessary instructional materials to support effective teaching and learning.
Dr. Mwaura also announced a significant policy shift regarding national examinations, stating that the government has introduced a mid-year Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exam series, set to begin in July 2025. This initiative is designed to support students who wish to retake exams or those who missed them due to illness or hardship. In addition, efforts are being made to enhance inclusivity by integrating orbit readers to replace traditional braille machines for visually impaired learners.
However, the government spokesperson issued a stern warning regarding the reintroduction of unauthorized levies in some senior schools. “Let me reiterate that the administration will not tolerate any form of unauthorized levies being imposed on parents. Any school found to be in violation of this directive will face strict disciplinary action,” he asserted.
Dr. Mwaura concluded by reaffirming the government’s dedication to delivering an equitable and inclusive education system that prepares learners for the demands of the modern world. “Through strategic investments in infrastructure, resource allocation, and policy enforcement, we are confident that Kenya is on the right path toward a transformative educational journey under the CBC framework.”
The government’s comprehensive efforts aim to ensure that every Kenyan child has access to a well-equipped, inclusive, and high-quality education system that fosters their talents and skills for future success.
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