In 2017, Kenya took a bold step. The government began phasing out the long-standing 8-4-4 education system in favor of something new, the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). Its promise? To raise creative, self-driven, and skill-oriented learners equipped for the 21st century. But several years into implementation, parents, teachers, and students are still asking: Is CBC working?
What is CBC, Really?
CBC is built on the idea that learners should not just memorize information, but be able to apply knowledge practically. Instead of sitting passively in class, students are expected to engage, think critically, and solve problems. It emphasizes skills development, talent nurturing, and individual growth, not just exam performance.
Unlike 8-4-4, which was heavily exam-focused, CBC includes continuous assessments and practical tasks from making models with recycled materials to community service projects.
The Good: Where CBC Shines
- Focus on Skills, Not Just Grades: CBC encourages learners to explore talents in music, sports, agriculture, digital literacy, and entrepreneurship.
- Active Learning: It nurtures communication, creativity, and problem-solving skills necessary in today’s fast-changing world.
- Parental Involvement: Parents are more engaged, which strengthens school-home ties and builds learner confidence.
The Challenges: Where It’s Failing Our Kids (and Parents)
- Cost & Accessibility: Many CBC activities require parents to buy materials or help with projects, a big ask for low-income households. Some schools lack basic resources, widening inequality.
- Overburdened Teachers: Many educators weren’t fully trained before rollout. Some feel overwhelmed by continuous assessments and unclear guidelines.
- Lack of Infrastructure: CBC needs well-equipped classrooms, internet access, and teaching aids, things many rural schools lack.
- Confusion & Pressure at Home: Parents, especially those unfamiliar with the new system, feel like they’re back in school themselves.
Voices from the Ground
In 2024, the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) launched a national survey. Feedback was mixed:
- 60% of parents said they didn’t fully understand CBC.
- 70% of teachers requested more training and resources.
- Students expressed enjoying practical tasks but also said they felt more stressed due to constant assignments and unclear grading.
Where Are We Headed?
The government is adjusting. The Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms (PWPER) recommended tweaks in late 2023, including better training, clearer assessment tools, and infrastructure investment. Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) are being realigned, but it’s a slow process.
CBC’s vision is powerful. But without equity, clarity, and support, it risks becoming a system that benefits only the well-off.
Reform with Reflection
The CBC system isn’t inherently flawed but its implementation has been uneven and at times chaotic. The dream of nurturing well-rounded, future-ready Kenyans is still within reach, but only if the government listens to the classroom voices, invests in teachers, and ensures that no learner is left behind because of where they live or how much their parents earn.
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