MIGORI, Kenya — The Ministry of Education has confirmed that it will fully implement all proposed Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) reforms across Kenyan schools, aiming to ease the learning process and better equip students for the modern job market. Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu, speaking during a groundbreaking ceremony for new classrooms in Kuria East and West sub-counties, revealed that the ministry has issued a circular to ensure all recommended changes are applied. The reforms, approved by President William Ruto, include a reduction in the number of learning areas for learners at all levels of the CBC, starting from January 2024.
CS Machogu explained that learners in Grades 1–3 will now focus on seven subjects instead of nine, while those in Grades 4–6 and 7–9 will study eight and nine areas, respectively. The reforms aim to relieve students of overload and make the CBC system more effective and manageable. Machogu also addressed parental concerns about the cost of CBC, promising that the government is reviewing expenditure to make education more affordable. To support practical learning, the ministry is committed to constructing and equipping laboratories in junior secondary schools, while digital laboratories in Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions have already been installed to equip youth with skills relevant to the digital economy.
In addition to curriculum reforms, the government is emphasizing community involvement and social progress, with CS Machogu urging residents to abandon harmful practices such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), which hinder girls’ education. He highlighted the role of Jitume Kazi digital centres in TVET institutions, which are designed to provide learners with practical skills aligned with modern workforce demands. Stakeholders welcomed the initiative, noting that streamlining subjects, investing in laboratories, and integrating digital learning would enhance competency among learners and strengthen Kenya’s human capital for the future.