Kenya’s education system has long been criticized for emphasizing rote learning over practical skills, critical thinking, and creativity. In response, the government introduced the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) to replace the traditional 8-4-4 system. While the CBC promises transformative benefits, its implementation faces significant challenges that risk undermining its objectives.
The Promise of CBC
Learner-Centered Approach
CBC emphasizes practical skills, problem-solving, and real-world application. By shifting from memorization to mastery of competencies, learners are expected to develop critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration skills—qualities essential in the 21st century.
Holistic Education
Unlike the old system, which heavily prioritized exams, CBC integrates co-curricular activities, life skills, and vocational training. This approach seeks to nurture well-rounded individuals capable of adapting to diverse career paths.
Alignment with Global Standards
Competency-based education aligns Kenya with global education trends, facilitating international recognition of Kenyan qualifications and preparing students for global opportunities.
The Perils and Challenges
Despite its promise, CBC faces practical, financial, and systemic hurdles:
Severe Infrastructure Gaps
As highlighted by recent reports, many schools lack laboratories, workshops, ICT equipment, and adequate sanitation facilities. With only 48% of junior school learners having access to labs, implementing practical, competency-based activities becomes difficult, especially in marginalized and rural areas.
Funding Constraints
Capitation per student remains low (KSh1,420 for primary, ~KSh15,000 for junior secondary), while government allocations are insufficient to cover the resource-intensive demands of CBC. Parents are increasingly expected to shoulder the cost, exacerbating inequities.
Teacher Preparedness
Effective CBC delivery requires skilled teachers trained in new pedagogical methods. Many educators lack adequate training or experience in learner-centered approaches, limiting the curriculum’s effectiveness.
Administrative and Financial Mismanagement
Auditor-General reports have exposed stalled and mismanaged infrastructure projects worth billions of shillings. Poor oversight threatens both CBC implementation and public trust in the system.
Transition Pressure
The upcoming Grade 9 to senior school transition introduces logistical and academic pressures. Schools are underprepared to accommodate CBC assessment requirements, selection processes, and practical learning outcomes.
Public and Stakeholder Concerns
Parents, teachers’ unions, and civil society organizations are raising concerns about:
The rising burden of school fees due to reduced government capitation.
Unequal access to quality education across counties, particularly in marginalized areas.
Risk of CBC becoming a theoretical framework without practical implementation.
Policy Recommendations
To safeguard CBC’s promise, policymakers should consider:
Scaling Up Infrastructure Investments – Prioritize laboratories, ICT resources, and sanitation facilities, especially in underserved regions.
Increasing Capitation Funds – Ensure adequate per-student funding to reduce reliance on illegal levies and parental out-of-pocket contributions.
Teacher Capacity Building – Implement comprehensive training programs for teachers in competency-based pedagogy.
Enhanced Oversight and Transparency – Strengthen monitoring mechanisms to prevent misuse of funds and stalled projects.
Stakeholder Engagement – Include parents, educators, and communities in decision-making to ensure responsive and context-specific solutions.
Conclusion
Kenya’s shift to CBC represents a bold step towards modern, skills-oriented education, but its success depends on careful planning, adequate funding, and robust oversight. Without urgent action to address infrastructure gaps, teacher preparedness, and financial mismanagement, the promise of a competency-driven education system risks becoming a cautionary tale rather than a transformative reality.