Policies

Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) in Kenya

Context and Issue

In Kenya, there was a need to transform the country's education system to better align with its socio-economic goals and the demands of the 21st century. The traditional 8-4-4 education system was heavily criticized for its focus on rote learning, limited skill development, and high-pressure examinations, which did not adequately prepare students for the job market or real-world problem-solving. To address these issues, Kenya's Vision 2030 blueprint, which aims to transform Kenya into a middle-income, industrializing country by 2030, emphasized the need for an education system that develops a broad range of skills and competencies in students.

Solution

Addressing these concerns, The Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) in Kenya was introduced in 2017 to replace the existing 8-4-4 education system, which had been in place since 1985. The CBC aims to provide a more holistic, flexible, and skills-oriented education framework. Unlike the content-based curriculum, which focuses on memorization and high-stakes exams, the CBC emphasizes the development of core competencies such as critical thinking, creativity, communication, collaboration, digital literacy, and lifelong learning. These competencies are designed to equip students with practical skills and knowledge necessary for the modern world, thus fostering holistic development and reducing exam-related stress.

Impact

According to the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) and various studies, by 2020, 90% of Grade 4 students engaged in activities that promoted critical thinking, creativity, communication, collaboration, digital literacy, and lifelong learning, demonstrating improved problem-solving and teamwork abilities. Extensive training efforts have led to 85% of teachers reporting increased confidence in implementing CBC by 2022, with over 50,000 teachers trained in digital literacy and new pedagogical approaches through the ELIMIKA programme. A study indicated that 78% of students showed improved engagement and participation in class activities under CBC, and continuous assessment methods have reduced exam-related stress by 70%. The curriculum's emphasis on parental engagement has resulted in 65% of parents participating more actively in their children's education. Additionally, Grade 4 students have participated in nationwide community service activities, such as a cleaning exercise, which engaged 100% of Grade 4 learners, highlighting the curriculum's practical approach. By integrating ICT into the curriculum, CBC has improved digital literacy among students, with approximately 80% of students in pilot schools demonstrating basic digital skills by the end of 2019. These statistics highlight the CBC's impact on improving educational outcomes and preparing students for future challenges.

Analysis

The Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) in Kenya represents a transformative step towards aligning the education system with the country's socio-economic goals and the demands of the 21st century. The focus on developing a broad range of skills and competencies has shown significant improvements in student engagement, teacher confidence, parental involvement, and overall educational outcomes. However, addressing the challenges related to resource allocation and uniform implementation will be crucial for the sustained success of the CBC. As Kenya continues to refine and enhance its education system, the CBC is effectively preparing students for modern socio-economic demands and future challenges.