Schools in Nairobi Encourage Journaling to Improve Literacy Skills

In 2025, schools across Nairobi have increasingly adopted journaling as a key strategy to enhance literacy skills among learners, particularly in Junior Secondary classrooms. As part of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), journaling is being used to help students express themselves more clearly, improve their writing fluency, and build critical thinking. Teachers report that regular writing exercises—such as daily reflections, creative storytelling, and peer-reviewed journals—are helping students become more confident and articulate in both written and spoken English.
This shift comes in response to national concerns about foundational literacy gaps. A 2023 evaluation of over 44,000 Kenyan students revealed that nearly 30% of Grade 6 learners struggled to read texts meant for Grade 3 level. In Nairobi, educators have responded by integrating journaling into lesson plans, encouraging students to write about their experiences, opinions, and classroom topics. Schools in Westlands Sub-County, for example, have linked journaling with digital literacy, allowing students to maintain e-journals and receive feedback through online platforms. These efforts align with broader CBC goals of fostering learner agency and personalized education.
The impact has been promising. Teachers note improved sentence structure, vocabulary use, and comprehension among students who journal regularly. Parents have also observed greater enthusiasm for reading and writing at home. Journaling has helped my daughter express herself better and reflect on her learning, said a parent from Lang’ata. Looking ahead, Nairobi schools plan to expand journaling programs by training teachers in reflective writing techniques and integrating journaling into assessment frameworks. With continued support from education stakeholders, journaling is poised to become a cornerstone of literacy development in Kenya’s evolving curriculum.