NAIROBI, Kenya — As Kenya phases out the 8-4-4 education system, the government has launched significant reforms to ensure a smooth transition to the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). The first cohort of Grade 9 learners began junior secondary school in January 2025, marking a key milestone toward the full adoption of CBC, with the final Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) under the old system scheduled for 2027. Government officials highlighted initiatives including classroom construction, teacher recruitment, and textbook provision to support the transition and provide learners with a conducive learning environment.
Government Spokesperson Dr. Isaac Mwaura detailed that, so far, 14,500 classrooms have been completed out of a targeted 16,000, supported by Sh11 billion in school disbursements and an additional Sh6.8 billion from the Constituency Development Fund. To manage growing enrolment under CBC, a further 7,290 classrooms are planned. In addressing teacher shortages, the government has employed 56,000 permanent teachers alongside 20,000 interns and replaced 8,707 teachers, with plans to hire an additional 6,000 educators. The Ministry of Education, in partnership with the National Treasury, has also released Sh48 billion in capitation grants for primary and junior secondary schools and distributed nearly 10 million textbooks to Grade 9 learners to ensure uninterrupted learning.
Education stakeholders have praised the reforms, noting that they reflect a strong commitment to equitable, inclusive, and practical education. Analysts say that with robust staffing, improved infrastructure, and abundant learning resources, Kenya is on course to provide a modern education system that equips students with the skills and knowledge required for a dynamic economy. The government has further introduced mid-year KCSE exams and upgraded assistive learning tools for visually impaired learners, demonstrating efforts to make CBC inclusive. As senior schools prepare to offer specialized pathways in STEM, Social Sciences, Arts, and Sports, the nation anticipates a transformative shift in secondary education, positioning Kenyan learners for success in higher education and future careers.