Nairobi Schools Promote Group Discussion Learning Under CBC Model

In a bold step toward transforming classroom dynamics, schools across Nairobi have intensified efforts to promote group discussion as a core teaching strategy under Kenya’s Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). Throughout 2025, educators have been integrating collaborative learning into daily instruction, encouraging students to work in teams to solve problems, analyze texts, and present findings. This shift reflects the CBC’s emphasis on learner-centered education, where students build competencies through active engagement rather than passive absorption.
The push for group-based learning gained momentum following the Ministry of Education’s updated CBC guidelines released in May 2025, which outlined new expectations for Junior Secondary School (JSS) learners transitioning to Senior School. Teachers have responded by redesigning lesson plans to include peer-led discussions, role plays, and project-based tasks. In many Nairobi classrooms, students now sit in clusters rather than rows, fostering interaction and shared responsibility. These methods have been particularly effective in subjects like social studies, science, and language arts, where critical thinking and communication are key.
Reactions from stakeholders have been largely positive. Parents have noted improved confidence and teamwork in their children, while educators report higher engagement and deeper understanding of concepts. Group discussions have helped learners articulate their ideas and listen to others—skills they’ll need beyond school, said a teacher at a public school in Embakasi. With the government’s June 2025 announcement transitioning CBC into a broader Competency-Based Education (CBE) framework, collaborative learning is expected to remain central. As schools prepare for the 2026 rollout of Senior Secondary pathways, Nairobi’s classrooms are already modeling the future of Kenyan education—one conversation at a time.