By Shadrack Nyakoe
Kenya has marked a pivotal moment in its education system with the rollout of Junior Secondary School under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
On Monday, the first cohort of CBC learners transitioned to Grade 9, signaling a significant stride in the nation’s educational reform.
The students will progress to Grade 10 in 2026, choosing from specialized pathways in Social Sciences, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), or Arts and Sports.
Government Spokesperson Dr. Isaac Mwaura, during a press briefing, outlined key measures to support this transition, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to effective implementation.
“To date, the government has built 14,500 classrooms out of the targeted 16,000, facilitated by Kshs. 11 billion disbursed directly to schools and Kshs. 6.8 billion allocated through the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF),” Dr. Mwaura announced. “An additional 7,290 classrooms are planned to accommodate rising enrollment, ensuring every learner accesses quality facilities.”
Efforts to address teacher shortages have also gained momentum. The government has hired 56,000 permanent and pensionable teachers, 20,000 interns, and replaced 8,707 teachers to maintain consistency in education. Plans to recruit 6,000 more teachers are in progress.
In addition, Dr. Mwaura highlighted the timely disbursement of Kshs. 48 billion in capitation grants for primary and junior secondary schools for Term 1 of 2025.
The funds, managed through the National Education Management Information System (NEMIS), are aimed at ensuring efficient resource distribution.
To support learning, the Ministry of Education has distributed 9,926,618 textbooks for Grade 9 learners, with the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) overseeing the equitable delivery of instructional materials.
Another landmark reform is the introduction of a mid-year Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exam series starting in July 2025. This initiative will enable students to retake exams or accommodate those who missed them due to illness or other challenges. In a bid to foster inclusivity, the government is also integrating orbit readers to replace traditional braille machines for visually impaired learners.
However, Dr. Mwaura cautioned schools against imposing unauthorized levies on parents, warning of strict disciplinary action against violators.
“The government will not tolerate any form of unauthorized fees in senior schools. Any institution found flouting this directive will face severe consequences,” he stressed.
Dr. Mwaura concluded by reaffirming the government’s dedication to creating an equitable and inclusive education system.
“Through strategic investments in infrastructure, resources, and policy reforms, Kenya is on a transformative path. The CBC framework ensures learners are equipped with skills and knowledge to thrive in today’s dynamic world,” he said.
The reforms underscore Kenya’s commitment to nurturing a generation of competent, innovative, and resourceful individuals, prepared to meet the demands of the future.