Ministry of Education Transitions CBC to CBE
The Ministry of Education has officially transitioned from the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) to Competency-Based Education (CBE) in order to simplify learning pathways and make education more affordable, accessible, and practical for learners.
While speaking at 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 certain elements of CBC.
“Curriculum is dynamic, and we have an opportunity to review some aspects 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 regarding the CBE transition, has urged them to support it while reaffirming the government’s dedication to its successful execution.
With the new transition, both parents and students are expected to notice changes in how learners are equipped with the skills, knowledge, and values necessary to succeed in the 21st-century economy.
“The future of our children’s education is fundamentally our collective responsibility. I encourage all stakeholders to actively engage in similar discussions, provide constructive feedback, and help shape educational policies that cater to the best interests of every learner,” the PS stressed.
One significant change that students will experience is a simplification of the mathematics subject, which had been previously rendered optional. Nevertheless, the Ministry has reintroduced it as mandatory, albeit with modifications.
Mathematics will remain required in senior school, but students selecting the STEM pathway will take pure mathematics, while those opting for the other two pathways will pursue a simplified version of mathematics.
CBE will concentrate on students’ strengths, interests, and practical skills, preparing them for employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.
It will also emphasize teachers and schools, with educators undergoing enhanced training to ensure they are adequately prepared to deliver competency-based learning.
School facilities, especially in technical, arts, and sports education, will be improved to guarantee that 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 capability to provide CBC career pathways.
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 surrounding CBE is not new; the Ministry continues to engage stakeholders to ensure that the curriculum is refined to enhance education for all Kenyans.