Education Ministry emphasizes recommendations from education stakeholders during CBE forum
The Ministry of Education has received highlights from the report of county stakeholder dialogues on Competency-Based Education (CBE) conducted in 2025.
The report was shared during The National Conversation on CBE that took place on 24th April 2025 in Nairobi. This conversation featured teachers and pertinent ministry officials who are involved at the grassroots level in executing the curriculum.
During the event’s opening, Cabinet Secretary for Education Julius Migos Ogamba stated that the county dialogues aimed to update stakeholders about the current status of CBE implementation and to provide a platform for stakeholders to participate in validating the transition guidelines from Junior School to senior school.
The issues raised during the County Dialogues 2025 include a national readiness audit that entails assessing senior schools and their preparedness for implementing pathways.
CS Ogamba mentioned that the matter has been addressed, with the government conducting a thorough assessment to ensure a seamless transition for Grade 9 learners to senior secondary school. This year, the MOE will build 1,600 laboratories for schools lacking them, which will be completed before the year concludes.
The selection process for Grade 9 students will commence on May 20, following the students’ completion of the Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA).
“I encourage all of you – especially teachers, parents, and guardians – to adequately guide our Grade 9 candidates as they begin to select their Senior Schools of choice. This process will commence on May 20, 2025,” stated the CS.
The stakeholders also requested capacity building; the MoE has initiated infrastructure mapping, prioritized the distribution of STEM equipment, and training for teachers in STEM is currently ongoing through CEMASTEA.
Additionally, stakeholders called for the stabilization and localization of the curriculum. They urged the government to reduce frequent reviews and tailor content to improve its local relevance.
Prof. Charles Ochieng’ Ong’ondo, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD), stated that they have completed the rationalization of the curriculum. The government has also devised career guidelines that are now ready to be shared.
Teaching and learning materials for rationalized areas are also prepared for distribution. The KICD is also planning to conduct a needs assessment within the financial year 2024/2025.
The MOE is relying on local and TV platforms for the empowerment of all education stakeholders; they have also translated guidelines for parental engagement into Kiswahili.
Regarding assistive materials and infrastructure, the government has set up a factory to produce assistive devices at the Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE).
The stakeholders also expressed concerns about assessment integrity and fairness; the government has implemented standardized grading, ongoing training for teachers, school-based assessment on administrative SBA, updates on scores, and records. Schools have also been utilizing parents’ Annual General Meetings for sensitization.
The government has also prepared career guidance for junior and pre-vocational schools, and these materials are ready to be shared.
During his final remarks, the CS mentioned that the most significant takeaway from the discussion has been the decision to make mathematics a mandatory subject for all students in Senior School.
“We have established a technical team that will collaborate with experts from the KICD to figure out the methods of presenting mathematics at the Senior School level,” he stated.
Ogamba indicated that the ministry will promptly begin consultations on strategies to ensure a strong system is in place to support reentry and evaluations for private candidates, allowing them to complete their basic education.
The MOE continues to oversee fee guidelines through audits conducted by the schools audit department and the Office of the Auditor-General. It also provides school fees via CDF bursaries, Elimu Scholarship, and other initiatives.
