Ministry of Education Transitions from CBC to CBE

Ministry of Education Transitions from CBC to CBE.

The Ministry of Education has formally transitioned from the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) to Competency-Based Education (CBE) to streamline learning pathways and make education more accessible, affordable, and practical for students. Speaking during the National Conversation Forum on Education held on Thursday, April 24, Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok officiated the transition, explaining that it involved a review of certain CBC elements.

He noted that curriculum is dynamic and expressed satisfaction, saying, “I am happy to note that today is the day we are also officially launching the new brand from CBC to CBE.” The Ministry emphasized that it is actively engaging parents and key stakeholders in dialogue regarding the shift and encouraged them to support the transition, reaffirming its commitment to successful implementation.

Under the new system, students and parents can expect changes in how learners acquire the skills, knowledge, and values essential for success in the 21st-century economy. Principal Secretary Bitok stressed the importance of collaboration, urging all stakeholders to actively participate in these discussions, provide honest feedback, and help shape education policies that best serve every learner. He stated, “The future of our children’s education rests squarely on our collective shoulders.”

CBE will prioritize students’ strengths, interests, and practical skills, aiming to prepare them for both employment and entrepreneurship. Teachers and schools will also be a major focus, with enhanced training programs introduced to ensure educators are well-prepared to deliver competency-based learning. Additionally, school facilities, particularly in technical, arts, and sports education, will be upgraded to support CBE effectively.

One notable change under CBE involves the treatment of mathematics, which had previously been made optional. The Ministry has reinstated mathematics as a compulsory subject but with modifications. Mathematics will remain mandatory in senior school, with students in the STEM pathway taking pure mathematics, while those in the other two pathways will study a simplified version.

Moreover, the categorization of schools will be revised. Institutions will now be classified as either “triple pathway” or “double pathway” schools, depending on the career paths they can offer. Triple pathway schools will provide all three career paths: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM); Arts and Sports Science; and Social Sciences. In contrast, double pathway schools will offer only two of the three, usually STEM combined with either Social Sciences or Arts and Sports Science.

The conversation surrounding CBE is not new, as the Ministry continues to consult stakeholders to ensure the curriculum is refined to better serve Kenyan learners. The Principal Secretary concluded by emphasizing the importance of collective effort, remarking, “Let us all come together to ensure the success of this important transition.”

Ministry of Education Transitions from CBC to CBE.

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