Beyond the Pilot Phase: Strategies for Long-Term Competency-Based Education (CBE) Viability in Kenya

Education plays a central role in national development, and Kenya has continuously reformed its education system to improve access, equity, and quality. The sector is primarily managed by the Ministry of Education, which oversees policies and frameworks designed to provide inclusive and high-quality learning opportunities for all citizens. In recent years, Kenya has undertaken a significant transformation in its education structure by transitioning from the long-standing 8-4-4 system to the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). This reform reflects a global shift toward education models that prioritize skills development, creativity, and practical competencies rather than purely examination-driven learning. The former 8-4-4 system, which consisted of eight years of primary education, four years of secondary education, and four years of university study, relied heavily on national examinations such as the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) and the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE). In contrast, the CBC framework introduces a more flexible structure that includes two years of pre-primary education, six years of primary education, three years of junior secondary school, and three years of senior secondary school. Assessment under this system is conducted through new national evaluations, including the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) and the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA), administered by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC). The transition to CBC aims to nurture key competencies such as critical thinking, communication, creativity, and collaboration while strengthening technical and vocational education and training (TVET) pathways. Kenya has achieved notable progress in expanding educational access, particularly following the introduction of free primary education in 2003, which significantly increased enrollment rates. Additional achievements include the growth of TVET institutions, expansion of university education, and increasing integration of digital learning and information and communication technology (ICT) in schools. Despite these achievements, the Kenyan education system continues to face several challenges. These include shortages of trained teachers, frequent revisions of textbooks and learning materials, limited infrastructure, underutilized facilities such as idle classrooms in some regions, persistent regional inequalities in access to quality education, and inconsistent funding. Nevertheless, the ongoing reforms demonstrate the government’s commitment to building a more inclusive, equitable, and skills-oriented education system capable of preparing learners for the demands of the 21st-century economy.