Ministry of Education Changes CBC to CBE

Ministry of Education Changes 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 affordable, accessible, and practical for learners.

During the National Conversation Forum on Education on Thursday, April 24, Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok officiated the transition, disclosing that it involved a review of several elements of CBC.

“Curriculum is dynamic, and we have an opportunity to review some of the components of our curriculum. I am pleased to announce that today marks the official launch of the new identity from CBC to CBE,” the PS stated.

The Ministry, which is presently engaging parents and relevant stakeholders in discussions about the CBE transition, has urged them to support it while reaffirming the government’s dedication to its successful execution.

With this new transition, parents and students are anticipated to notice changes in how learners acquire the skills, knowledge, and values essential to excel in the 21st-century economy.

“The future of our children’s education lies firmly on our collective shoulders. I encourage all stakeholders to actively take part in similar discussions, provide genuine feedback, and help shape education policies that benefit every learner,” the PS stressed.

One of the significant changes that students will encounter is a simplification of the mathematics subject, which had earlier been rendered optional. However, the Ministry has made it compulsory again, but with adjustments.

Mathematics will still be mandatory in senior school, but students opting for the STEM pathway will study pure mathematics, while those selecting the other two pathways will engage with a simplified version of mathematics.

CBE will concentrate on students’ strengths, interests, and practical skills, equipping them for employment and entrepreneurship.

It will also emphasize teachers and schools, with educators undergoing improved training to ensure they are adequately prepared to facilitate competency-based learning.

School facilities, particularly in technical, arts, and sports education, will be enhanced to guarantee students have all they need for CBE.

The classification of schools will also undergo changes, with institutions categorized as either “triple pathway” or “double pathway” based on their capacity to provide CBC career paths.

Triple pathway schools offer all three career pathways: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM); Arts and Sports Science; and Social Sciences. Double pathway schools provide only two of the three pathways, typically STEM and Social Sciences, or STEM and Arts and Sports Science.

The discussion on CBE is not new, as the Ministry continues to involve stakeholders to ensure that the curriculum is refined to improve education for Kenyans.