Nairobi, Kenya — As students prepare to resume classes on January 6, 2025, Kenya is witnessing a historic transformation in its education system. For the first time since 1985, secondary schools will not admit new Form One students, marking the official phase-out of the 8-4-4 system and full adoption of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). The transition, which began with the last cohort of Standard 8 students in 2023, has resulted in the suspension of the traditional Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exams in 2024. Under the new framework, Grade 9 students, previously considered first-year secondary learners, will now remain within primary schools, reshaping funding allocations and infrastructure planning.
The shift has significant financial implications for secondary schools, which stand to lose substantial capitation funds previously provided under the Free Day Secondary Education (FDSE) initiative. Administrators have raised concerns over operational costs, including staff salaries and utilities, remaining fixed despite a reduced student population. The Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (Kessha) has urged the government to release Sh64 billion in overdue capitation funds to cushion schools against budgetary shortfalls. Meanwhile, primary schools are adjusting to an increased budget due to the admission of Grade 9 students, receiving Sh15,042 per junior secondary student. Challenges such as teacher shortages, inadequate learning materials, and insufficient infrastructure remain key hurdles in the rollout of CBC.
The transition also affects the broader educational ecosystem. Bookstores, publishers, and suppliers of school materials are adapting to lower demand for textbooks and educational resources. Experts suggest utilizing existing secondary school facilities to accommodate Grade 9 learners could optimize resources while easing pressure on primary schools. The Kenya Primary School Heads Association (Kepsha) has expressed cautious optimism, citing improvements in classroom construction, teaching allocations, and book supplies as early signs of progress. As Kenya fully embraces CBC, the Ministry of Education faces mounting pressure to ensure smooth fund disbursement and infrastructure readiness, aiming for a seamless shift to the new curriculum.