As he spearheads the campaign for Competency-Based Reforms, ππ Ogamba declares the introduction of CBE.
Competency-Based Education (CBE), which the government has described as a revolutionary paradigm at the heart of the nation’s development strategy, has been reaffirmed as a priority.
Education CS Julius Migos Ogamba stated at the Kenyatta International Convention Center (KICC) during the launch that CBE, also known as Elimu Thabiti, is the cornerstone of a comprehensive, skills-based educational system aimed at preparing students for the challenges of the 21st century.
“There is a child whose aspirations depend on every education reform.” Ogamba stated, “We are all in this together.
The CS further emphasized that the CBE model is founded on consultation at the grassroots level and represents the opinions of communities throughout the nation.
The CS stated that “mathematics will now be required across all senior secondary school pathways,” and that the technical team will collaborate closely with the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development to oversee its execution.
In addition, Ogamba encouraged teachers to adopt a different approach to instruction: “We must move away from rote learning (method of memorizing information through repetition, rather than understanding the underlying meaning or context).”
We prioritize engaging, student-centered approaches that encourage creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving, he continued.
Prof. Julius Bitok, the PS of Basic Education, stressed in his remarks that CBE is a complete overhaul of the educational system in Kenya, not merely a revision of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
βWe are now implementing a system-wide reform; we are no longer simply talking about curriculum,β Prof. Bitok said.
The PS emphasized findings from discussions at the county level, with a focus on Nakuru, where students demonstrated the practical impact of Competency Based Education (CBE) by displaying creativity and practical abilities.
“Since CBE aligns with Vision 2030 and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, this is not just a curriculum shift; it’s a national transformation and the future of our children depends on how we walk this journey together,” he stated.
Higher Education and Research PS Dr. Beatrice Inyangala, for her part, added that CBE also changes learning environments and instructional strategies.
“We must stop teaching students to just memorize.” Rather, we should demonstrate them how to use what they learn, and they will remember it, she stated.
As crucial components for the effective implementation of the Competency-Based Education paradigm, Dr. Inyangala highlighted the need for ongoing teacher training, active community involvement, and school programs that are adapted to the local environment.
In the meantime, preparations are already being made for the national rollout. To prepare for the first cohort of CBE students, who are expected to move to university by 2029, universities, teacher training institutes, and curriculum development organizations are aligning their frameworks.
In order to make sure that lifelong learning opportunities are relevant and skill-based, the Ministry is also dedicated to evaluating the curriculum for adult education in accordance with CBE principles.
Additionally, initiatives are being made to expand the retraining program for teachers, with national expansion planned for the upcoming months. To date, 291 teachers have received training.
Simultaneously, special needs education was given priority, and the government promised to improve the infrastructure and educational materials.
