Govt implements critical reforms to fully transition to CBC

The government has stepped up implementation of key reforms to ensure a seamless national shift from the 8-4-4 system to the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), ahead of the final KCSE exams scheduled for 2027. Speaking in Nairobi, Government Spokesperson Dr. Isaac Mwaura announced that the first cohort of CBC learners officially joined Grade 9 on January 6, marking one of the most significant milestones in the new system. He emphasised that the reforms—including new senior school pathways and expanded learning infrastructure—are designed to strengthen Kenya’s education sector and provide a smooth transition for millions of learners.
According to Dr. Mwaura, the Ministry of Education has constructed 14,500 classrooms out of the targeted 16,000, supported by Sh11 billion in direct school funding and an additional Sh6.8 billion through NG-CDF. The government also plans to build a further 7,290 classrooms to cater for rising enrolment. To address teacher shortages, it has hired 56,000 teachers on permanent terms, 20,000 interns, and replaced 8,707 staff, with another 6,000 teachers set to be recruited. The government has also procured close to 10 million textbooks for Grade 9 and released Sh48 billion in capitation for primary and junior secondary schools. Dr. Mwaura further outlined new policies, including a mid-year KCSE exam series for candidates who miss or wish to retake the national exams, as well as new assistive technologies such as orbit readers for visually impaired learners.
As the CBC transition progresses, the government has raised concerns over the return of illegal levies in some senior schools, warning that responsible administrators will face disciplinary action. Education stakeholders, meanwhile, have welcomed the reforms, noting that investments in staffing, facilities and learning materials are critical for the success of the curriculum. The government says the ongoing changes reflect Kenya’s ambition to build an inclusive, skills-oriented education system that prepares learners for a modern workforce. With the final 8-4-4 class expected to exit in two years, officials maintain that the current reforms will determine the long-term stability and success of the CBC framework.