
New CBC Timetable for Grades 1 to 3.
The Ministry of Education has released Guidelines for Timetabling and Curriculum Based Establishment in Competency Based Education (CBC) for for PP1-PP2 & Grade 1 to 10.
Developing an effective timetable and daily routine is essential for fostering a productive learning environment where both learners and educators can interact to achieve intended learning outcomes.
A well-structured timetable not only ensures that all learning areas are covered comprehensively but also promotes implementation of balanced academic and co-curricular activities.
These guidelines outline procedure for developing timetables that optimize utilisation of time, teaching and learning experiences, enhance student engagement, and support the achievement of overall educational goals in institutions of learning.
Table 1: Lesson distribution per learning area for pre-primary schools
| S/no | Activity learning area | Number of lessons |
| 1 | Language activities | 5 |
| 2 | Mathematical activities | 5 |
| 3 | Creative activities | 6 |
| 4 | Environmental activities | 5 |
| 5 | Religious activities | 3 |
| Pastoral Programme of Instruction (PPI) /Religious programs | 1 | |
| Total | 25 | |
Source : KICD
Note: See appendix 1 for sample Pre- Primary Time Table
| S/No. | Learning Area | Number of Lessons |
| 1. | Indigenous Language Activities | 2 |
| 2. | Kiswahili Language Activities / Kenya Sign Language Activities | 4 |
| 3. | English Language Activities | 5 |
| 4. | Mathematical Activities | 5 |
| 5. | Religious Education Activities | 3 |
| 6. | Environmental Activities | 4 |
| 7. | Creative Activities | 7 |
| Pastoral Instruction Programme (PPI)/ Religious programs | 1 | |
| TOTAL | 31 |
Source : KICD
Note: See appendix 2 for sample Time Table for grade 1, 2 and 3
| S/No. | Leaning Area | Lessons |
| 1. | English | 5 |
| 2. | Kiswahili/ Kenya Sign Language | 4 |
| 3. | Mathematics | 5 |
| 4. | Religious Education | 3 |
| 5. | Science & Technology | 4 |
| 6. | Agriculture | 4 |
| 7. | Social Studies | 3 |
| 8. | Creative Arts | 6 |
| Pastoral Programme of Instruction (PPI)/religious programs | 1 | |
| TOTAL | 35 |
Source : KICD
Note: See appendix 3 for sample Time Table for grade 4, 5 and 6
| S/No. | Learning Area | Number of Lessons |
| 1. | English | 5 |
| 2. | Kiswahili/Kenya Sign Language (KSL) | 4 |
| 3. | Mathematics | 5 |
| 4. | Religious Education | 4 |
| 5. | Social Studies | 4 |
| 6. | Integrated Science | 5 |
| 7. | Pre-technical Studies | 4 |
| 8. | Agriculture | 4 |
| 9. | Creative Arts and Sports | 5 |
| Pastoral Programme of instruction | 1 | |
| 41 |
Source : KICD
Note: See appendix 4 for sample Time Table for grade 7, 8 and 9
Note: Learning is individualised for learners with special needs and therefore, time allocation is dependent on completion and mastery of specific tasks. The suggested time of 30 minutes per lesson is a guide.
| S/No. | Learning Area | Number of lessons | |
| 1 | Communication and Social Skills | 4 | |
| 2 | Activities of Daily Living Skills and Religious Education | Activities of Daily Living Skills | 4 |
| Religious Education | 2 | ||
| 3 | Sensory Motor and Creative Activities | Sensory Perception | 1 |
| Psychomotor Activities | 2 | ||
| Creative Activities | 1 | ||
| Music and Movement | 1 | ||
| 4 | Orientation and Mobility | 2 | |
| 5 | Pre-numeracy Activities | 2 | |
| Pastoral Programme of Instruction (PPI) | 1 | ||
| Total Lessons Per Week | 20 | ||
Source : KICD
Note: See appendix 5 for sample Time Table for foundation level
| S/No | Learning Area | Number of lessons | |
| 1 | Communication and Social Skills | 5 | |
| 2 | Daily Living Skills and Religious Education | Daily Living Skills | 4 |
| Religious education | 2 | ||
| 3 | Sensory Motor Integration | 4 | |
| 4 | Numeracy Activities | 3 | |
| 5 | Creative Activities | Art and Craft | 4 |
| Music | 2 | ||
| 6 | Movement Activities | 5 | |
| Pastoral Programme of Instruction (PPI) | 1 | ||
| Total Lessons Per Week | 30 | ||
Source : KICD
Note: See appendix 6 for sample Time Table for intermediate level
| Sno. | Learning Area | Number of Lessons |
| 1. | Prevocational Skills | 18 |
| 2. | Communication and Functional Literacy Skills | 4 |
| 3. | Daily Living Skills and Nutrition | 4 |
| 4. | Physical Education | 5 |
| 5. | Religious Education (CRE/IRE/HRE) | 2 |
| 6. | Music and Movement | 2 |
| 7. | Social Studies | 4 |
| Pastoral Programme of Instruction (PPI) | 1 | |
| Total | 40 |
Source : KICD
Note: See appendix 7 for sample Time Table for pre-vocational level
NOTES
The learning areas to be plotted on the timetable shall be derived from the KICD approved curriculum designs.
The basic education regulations 2015 provides reporting time for day schools not be earlier than 7.15 am . 8.00 am to 3.30 pm is class hours and 3.30 pm to 4.45 pm cocurricular activities.
For boarding schools time is 8.am to 3.30 pm is class hours. 3.30 to 4.45 pm cocurricular activities. 5.00 pm to 7.30 pm is self directed activities. 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm preps. 9.30 pm to 6am is bed time. 6am to 8am supervised routine activities.
Each level has been allocated two health breaks in the morning session. The durations of the health breaks for the various levels are different since they are determined by the number of learning areas/subjects per day and the duration of a lesson.
The learning institutions should therefore make appropriate arrangements on how to manage health breaks for the different levels.
These learning areas shall be plotted before a break to allow learners adequate time to prepare for the next lesson.
When plotting lessons on the timetable, the committee shall ensure that learning areas with similar skills, knowledge or concepts do not follow one another. This enhances the learner’s interest and reduces monotony in skill, concept and knowledge acquisition.
In areas that experience extreme temperatures, the time table start times and end time can be adjusted so long as the requisite contact hours for learners are maintained.
The PPI lessons shall be handled by a responsible member of a recognized religious faith within the school community and which is legally registered in Kenya.
Learning institutions should create opportunities for information sharing and involvement of parents/guardians in the implementation of curriculum.
The timetable committee shall plot specified non-formal programmes after class activities as from 3.20 to 4.45 pm. This may include; games, clubs and societies, guidance and counselling and community service learning.
Curriculum Based Establishment (CBE) is the number of teachers that a school needs for effective curriculum implementation.
All schools including preprimary , primary, junior school and special needs school are required to have an approved CBE to ensure standards in curriculum delivery are adhered to.
The following are the steps that preparation of a CBE takes:
Curriculum Based Establishment considers the following areas:
The guidelines provide instructions for determining CBE for Age Based and Stage Based pathways
The CBE for pre-primary schools is determined by the total number of classes. There will be one teacher per class. The recommended class size is 25 learners.
The CBE for primary schools is determined by the total number of classes plus one who is the Head of the Institution.
The school shall be staffed with a head teacher, Deputy Head teachers, Senior teachers and teachers depending on the number of streams, number of classes and enrolment as tabulated below.
Where the school qualifies to have two deputy head teachers, they will be in charge of academics and administration respectively. The recommended class size is 45 learners.
Establishment of House Teachers (Senior Master) will be based on enrolment of boarders in the school where there shall be one house teacher for every 270 learners where applicable.
The head teacher will have a workload of at least 15 lessons.
| Stream/s | Classes | Maximum Enrolment | CBE | Deputy Head Teachers | Senior Teachers |
| 1 | 6 | 270 | 7 | 1 | 1 |
| 2 | 12 | 540 | 13 | 1 | 1 |
| 3 | 18 | 810 | 19 | 1 | 2 |
| 4 | 24 | 1080 | 25 | 2 | 2 |
| 5 | 30 | 1350 | 31 | 2 | 2 |
| 6 | 36 | 1620 | 37 | 2 | 3 |
| 7 | 42 | 1890 | 43 | 2 | 4 |
| 8 | 48 | 2160 | 49 | 2 | 4 |
| 9 | 54 | 2430 | 55 | 2 | 4 |
| 10 | 60 | 2700 | 61 | 2 | 5 |
The CBE for junior school shall be guided by the following:
| Subject/learning area | Grade 7 | Grade 8 | Grade 9 | Total Lessons | Teachers Required |
| English | 5 | 5 | 5 | 15 | 0.555 |
| Kiswahili/Kenya Sign Language (KSL) | 4 | 4 | 4 | 12 | 0.444 |
| Mathematics | 5 | 5 | 5 | 15 | 0.555 |
| Religious Education | 4 | 4 | 4 | 12 | 0.444 |
| Social Studies (Including Life Skills) | 4 | 4 | 4 | 12 | 0.444 |
| Integrated Science | 5 | 5 | 5 | 15 | 0.555 |
| Pre-Technical Studies | 4 | 4 | 4 | 12 | 0.444 |
| Agriculture | 4 | 4 | 4 | 12 | 0.444 |
| Creative Arts and Sports | 5 | 5 | 5 | 15 | 0.555 |
| PPI | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0.111 |
| GRAND TOTAL | 41 | 4 1 | 41 | 123 | 4.551 |
Note: If the number of streams is more than one, multiply the number of lessons per learning area with the number of streams and divide by 27 to get the number of teachers required per learning area/Subject.
Shortfalls in lesson allocation arise as a result of Principals, Deputy Principals and Senior Masters being allocated less than 27 lessons per week due to their administrative duties.
The recommended lessons allocation is as follows:
The shortfalls for a one streamed school are calculated as follows:
| Principal | (27 – 10) x 1 | = 17 Lessons |
| Deputy Principal | (27 – 20) x 1 | = 7 Lessons |
| Senior Master | (27 – 20) x 1 | = 7 Lessons |
| Total shortfall | = 31 lessons |
Therefore, teachers required for the shortfall are 31/27 = 1.148
C.B.E = Teachers required in Step 1 + Teachers Required in Step 2
= 4.551 + 1.148 = 5.699 = 6 Teachers
Note: If the answer has decimals, it should be rounded off to the next whole number.
If the School has more than one stream, the Principals, Deputies and Senior Masters establishment shall be as tabulated in table 3
| Stream/s | Classes | Principal | Deputy Principal/s | Senior Master/s |
| 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 3 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 4 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 5 | 15 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 6 | 18 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| 7 | 21 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| 8 | 24 | 1 | 2 | 6 |
| 9 | 27 | 1 | 2 | 6 |
| 10 | 30 | 1 | 2 | 6 |
| 11 | 33 | 1 | 2 | 7 |
| 12 | 36 | 1 | 2 | 7 |
Note: See appendix 8 for calculated Curriculum Based Establishment for Junior School
The CBE for foundation and intermediate levels will be determined by the number of learners, type and severity of disabilities as indicated in table 4.
Table 4. Ratio of teacher to learners
| S/NO | Disability | Teacher: learner ratio |
| 1. | Severe Autism | 1:1 |
| 2. | Severe Cerebral Palsy | 1:1 |
| 3. | Deaf blindness | 1:1 |
| 4. | Multiple disabilities | 1:1 |
| 5. | Intellectual disabilities (Mild to Moderate) | 1:4 |
The CBE for pre-vocational level will be determined by the number of learners and type of disabilities as indicated in table 5.
Table 5. Ratio of Teacher to Learners
| S/NO | Disability | Teacher: learner ratio |
| 1. | Autism | 1:4 |
| 2. | Cerebral Palsy | 1:4 |
| 3. | Deaf blindness | 1:4 |
| 4. | Multiple disabilities | 1:4 |
| 5. | Intellectual disabilities (Mild to Moderate) | 1:4 |
Appendix 1: Sample timetable for pre-primary level
| Time
Day | Before 8:30 | 8:30 – 9:00 | 9:00 – 9:30 | 9:30 – 10:00 | 10:00 – 10:10 | 10:10 – 10:40 | 10:40 – 11:00 | 11:00 – 11:30 | 11:30 – 12:00 | 12.00- 1.00 | After 1.00 |
| Monday | Free choice activities | Health Check and Roll Call | Language Activities | Mathematical Activities | Health Break | Creative Activities | Health Break | Religious Activities | Environmental Activities | Lunch Break | Rest/quiet activities/home |
| Tuesday | Free choice activities | Health Check and Roll Call | Mathematical Activities | Creative Activities | Health Break | Language Activities | Health Break | Environmental Activities | Creative Activities | Lunch Break | Rest/quiet activities/home |
| Wednesday | Free choice activities | Health Check and Roll Call | Environmental Activities | Religious Activities | Health Break | Creative Activities | Health Break | Language Activities | Mathematical Activities | Lunch Break | Rest/quiet activities/home |
| Thursday | Free choice activities | Health Check and Roll Call | Mathematical Activities | Language Activities | Health Break | Creative Activities | Health Break | Environmental Activities | Religious Activities | Lunch Break | Rest/quiet activities/home |
| Friday | Free choice activities | Health Check and Roll Call | PPI | Creative Activities | Health Break | Environmental Activities | Health Break | Language Activities | Mathematical Activities | Lunch Break | Rest/quiet activities/home |
Appendix 2: Sample timetable for grade 1-3
| Time
Day | 8:00 – 8:20 | 8:20 – 8:50 | 8:50 – 9:20 | 9:20 – 9:30 | 9:30 – 10:00 | 10:00 – 10:30 | 10:30 – 11:00 | 11:00 – 11:30 | 11:30 – 12:00 | 12:30 pm |
| Monday | Health Check & Roll Call | Indigenous Language | Creative Activities | Health Break | English Language | Mathematical Activities | Health Break | Religious Education Activities | Environmental Activities | Lunch Break |
| Tuesday | Health Check & Roll Call | Kiswahili Language | Mathematical Activities | Health Break | English Language | Creative Activities | Health Break | Indigenous Language | Creative Activities | Lunch Break |
| Wednesday | Health Check & Roll Call | English Language | Religious Education Activities | Health Break | Mathematical Activities | Creative Activities | Health Break | Kiswahili Language | Environmental Activities | Lunch Break |
| Thursday | Health Check & Roll Call | Mathematical Activities | Creative Activities | Health Break | Environmental Activities | Kiswahili Language | Health Break | English Language | Creative Activities | Lunch Break |
| Friday | PPI | English Language | Environmental Activities | Health Break | Kiswahili Language | Creative Activities | Health Break | Mathematical Activities | Religious Education Activities | Lunch Break |
Appendix 3: Sample timetable for grade 4, 5 and 6
| Time Day | 8:00 – 8:20 | 8:20 – 8:55 | 8:55 – 9:30 | 9:30 – 9:50 | 9:50 – 10:25 | 10:25 – 11:00 | 11:00 – 11:30 | 11:30 – 12:05 | 12:05 – 12:40 | 12:40 – 2:00 | 2:00 – 2:35 | 2:35 – 4.00 |
|
Monday | Assembl y, Health Check & Roll Call |
English | Mathemati cs | Health Break | Social Studies | Creative Arts | Health Break | Science & Tech | Kiswahili/K SL | Lunch Break | Religious Ed | Non-formal Programs |
|
Tuesday | Assembl y, Health Check & Roll Call | Kiswahili/K SL | Creative Arts | Health Break | Science & Tech |
English | Health Break | Mathemati cs | Creative Arts | Lunch Break |
Agriculture | Non-formal Programs |
| Wednesda y | Assembl y, Health Check & Roll Call | Mathematic s |
English | Health Break | Agricultur e | Kiswahili/K SL | Health Break | Creative Arts | Religious Ed | Lunch Break | Social Studies | Non-formal Programs |
|
Thursday | Assembl y, Health Check & Roll Call |
English | Mathemati cs | Health Break | Social Studies | Science & Tech | Health Break | Kiswahili/K SL |
Agriculture | Lunch Break | Creative Arts | Non-formal Programs |
|
Friday | Assembl y, Health Check & Roll Call |
PPI |
English | Health Break | Mathema tics | Creative Arts | Health Break | Religious Ed | Science & Tech | Lunch Break |
Agriculture | Non-formal programs |
Appendix 4 Sample timetable for grade 7, 8 and 9
| Time Day | 8:00 – 8:20 | 8:20 – 9:00 | 9:00 – 9:40 | 9:40 – 9:50 | 9:50 – 10:30 | 10:30 – 11:10 | 11:1 0 – 11:4 0 | 11:40 – 12:20 | 12:20 – 1:00 | 1:00 – 2:00 | 2:00 – 2:40 | 2:40 – 3:20 | 3:20 – 4:45 |
| Monday | Roll Call/Asse mbly | English | Mathemat ics | Heal th Brea k | Integrate d Science | Integrate d Science | Heal th Brea k | Religious Education | Kiswahili/ KSL | Lun ch Brea k | Agricultu re | Social Studies | Non- formal Progra ms |
| Tuesday | Roll Call/Asse mbly | Agriculture | Social Studies | Heal th Brea k | Creative Arts/Sport s | Creative Arts/Sport s | Heal th Brea k | Mathemati cs | English | Lun ch Brea k | Pre- technica l Studies | Kiswahili/ KSL | Non- formal Progra ms |
| Wednes day | Roll Call/Asse mbly | Kiswahili/ KSL | Integrate d Science | Heal th Brea k | English | Mathemat ics | Heal th Brea k | Religious Education | Creative Arts/Sport s | Lun ch Brea k | Social studies | Pre- technical Studies | Non- formal Progra ms |
| Thursda y | Roll Call/Asse mbly | Integrated Science | Social Studies | Heal th Brea k | Mathemat ics | Religious Education | Heal th Brea k | Agriculture | Agriculture | Lun ch Brea k | Creative Arts/Spo rts | English | Non- formal Progra ms |
| Friday | PPI | Religious Education | Integrate d Science | Heal th Brea k | English | Mathemat ics | Heal th Brea k | Kiswahili/ KSL | Creative Arts/Sport s | Lun ch Brea k | Pre- technica l Studies | Pre- technical Studies | Non- formal Progra ms |
Appendix 5 Sample timetable for foundation level
| Time Day | 8:00 – 8:30 | 8:30 – 9:00 | 9:00 – 9:30 | 9:30 – 10:00 | 10:00 – 10:30 | 10:30 – 11:00 | 11:00 – 11:30 | 11:30 – 12:00 |
| Monday | Free choice activities | Health Check and Roll Call | Communication and Social Skills | Activities of Daily Living | Break | Sensory Perception | Pre- numeracy Activities | Lunch Break |
| Tuesday | Free choice activities | Health Check and Roll Call | Religious Education | Activities of Daily Living | Break | Orientation and Mobility | Psychomotor Activities | Lunch Break |
| Wednesday | Free choice activities | Health Check and Roll Call | Pre-numeracy Activities | Music and Movement | Break | Communication and Social Skills | Creative Activities | Lunch Break |
| Thursday | Free choice activities | Health Check and Roll Call | Communication and Social Skills | Psychomotor Activities | Break | Activities of Daily Living | Orientation and Mobility | Lunch Break |
| Friday | Free choice activities | Health Check and Roll Call | PPI | Activities of Daily Living | Break | Communication and Social Skills | Religious Education | Lunch Brea |
Appendix 6 Sample timetable for intermediate level
| Time Day | 8:00 – 8:20 | 8:20 – 8:50 | 8:50 – 9:20 | 9:20 – 9:40 | 9:40 – 10:10 | 10:10 – 10:40 | 10:40 – 11:10 | 11:10 – 11:40 | 11:40 – 12:10 | 12.10- 1.10pm |
| Monday | Assembly Health Check and Roll Call | Communication and Social Skills | Numeracy Activities | Break | Sensory Motor Integration | Movement Activities | Break | Daily Living Skills | Art and Craft | Lunch Break |
|
Tuesday | Assembly Health Check and Roll Call |
Numeracy Activities |
Movement Activities |
Break |
Religious Education |
Art and Craft |
Break |
Music | Communication and Social Skills | Lunch Break |
|
Wednesday | Assembly Health Check and Roll Call |
Sensory Motor Integration | Communication and Social Skills |
Break |
Numeracy Activities |
Movement Activities |
Break |
Art and Craft |
Daily Living Skills | Lunch Break |
|
Thursday | Assembly Health Check and Roll Call |
Daily Living Skills |
Religious Education |
Break |
Music | Sensory Motor Integration |
Break | Communication and Social Skills |
Movement Activities | Lunch Break |
|
Friday | Assembly Health Check and Roll Call |
PPI |
Movement Activities |
Break | Communication and Social Skills | Daily Living Skills |
Break |
Sensory Motor Integration |
Art and Craft | Lunch Break |
Appendix 7 Sample timetable for pre-vocational level
| Time Day | 8:20-9:00 | 9:00-9:40 | 9:40- 9:50 | 9:50- 10:30 | 10:30-11:10 | 11:10 – 11:40 | 11:40- 12:20 | 12:20-1:00 | 1:00- 2:00 | 2:00-2:40 | 2:40-3:20 | 3:20-4:00 |
|
Monday | Communic ation and Functional Literacy Skills | Prevocation al Skills |
Break | Prevocat ional Skills | Music and Movement |
Break | Daily Living Skills and Nutrition | Physical Education | Lunch Break | Prevocati onal Skills | Social Studies | Non- formal Programm es |
| Tuesday | Daily Living Skills and Nutrition | Prevocation al Skills | Break | Prevocat ional Skills | Physical Education | Break | Social Studies | Prevocational Skills | Lunch Break | Prevocati onal Skills | Religious Education | Non- formal Programm es |
| Wednesda y | Social Studies | Prevocation al Skills |
Break | Prevocat ional Skills | Daily Living Skills and Nutrition |
Break | Prevocation al Skills | Physical Education | Lunch Break | Prevocati onal Skills | Communicat ion and Functional Literacy Skills | Non- formal Programm es |
|
Thursday | Communic ation and Functional Literacy Skills | Prevocation al Skills |
Break | Prevocat ional Skills | Physical Education |
Break | Religious Education | Music and Movement | Lunch Break | Prevocati onal Skills | Social Studies | Non- formal Programm es |
|
Friday |
PPI | Prevocation al Skills |
Break | Prevocat ional Skills | Physical Education |
Break | Communica tion and Functional Literacy Skills | Daily Living Skills and Nutrition | Lunch Break | Prevocati onal Skills | Prevocation al Skills | Non- formal Programm es |
Appendix 8: Calculated Curriculum Based Establishment for 1 – 12 streams for Junior School
| Stream/s | Classes | Maximum Enrolment | Number of lessons | CBE | Deputy Principal/s | Senior Master/s /HODs |
| 1 | 3 | 135 | 123 | 6 | 1 | 1 |
| 2 | 6 | 270 | 246 | 11 | 1 | 2 |
| 3 | 9 | 405 | 369 | 16 | 1 | 2 |
| 4 | 12 | 540 | 492 | 21 | 1 | 4 |
| 5 | 15 | 675 | 615 | 25 | 1 | 4 |
| 6 | 18 | 810 | 738 | 30 | 1 | 5 |
| 7 | 21 | 945 | 861 | 35 | 1 | 5 |
| 8 | 24 | 1080 | 984 | 40 | 2 | 6 |
| 9 | 27 | 1215 | 1107 | 44 | 2 | 6 |
| 10 | 30 | 1250 | 1230 | 49 | 2 | 6 |
| 11 | 33 | 1485 | 1353 | 54 | 2 | 7 |
| 12 | 36 | 1620 | 1476 | 58 | 2 | 7 |
Get the latest Mwalimu National Sacco BOSA Loans Application Form {Free Download}, here. PDF Latest…
Here is the revised and latest Mwalimu National Sacco FOSA Salary Advance Application Form {Free…
Here is the latest Mwalimu National Sacco FOSA Instant Loan Application Form {Free Download}. Download…
The landscape of digital gambling has shifted toward high-octane mechanics that prioritize volatility and massive…
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has advertised 170 job vacancies across, covering senior, mid‑level, and…
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has ordered immediate changes to the Social Health Authority (SHA)…