Ministry of Education Changes CBC to CBE
The Ministry of Education has officially transitioned from the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) to Competency-Based Education (CBE) in order to streamline learning pathways and enhance the affordability, accessibility, and practicality of education for students.
During the National Conversation Forum on Education held on Thursday, April 24, Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok inaugurated the transition, disclosing that it involved a review of certain aspects of the CBC.
“Curriculum is dynamic, and we have an opportunity to be able to review some of the aspects of our curriculum. I am pleased to announce that today marks the official launch of the new brand from CBC to CBE,” the Principal Secretary declared.
The Ministry, which is actively engaging parents and relevant stakeholders in discussions regarding the CBE transition, has urged them to support this initiative while reiterating the government’s dedication to its successful implementation.
With the new transition, parents and students are anticipated to observe modifications 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 rests squarely on our collective shoulders. I encourage all stakeholders to actively engage in similar dialogues, offer candid feedback, and contribute to the development of educational policies that serve the best interests of every learner,” the Principal Secretary stressed.
One of the significant changes that students will encounter is the simplification of the mathematics subject, which had previously been made optional. However, the Ministry has reinstated it as mandatory, albeit with adjustments.
Mathematics will remain compulsory in senior school, but students who opt for the STEM pathway will undertake pure mathematics, while those who select the other two pathways will engage with a simplified version of mathematics.
CBE will emphasize students’ strengths, interests, and practical skills, equipping them for both employment and entrepreneurship.
It will also concentrate on teachers and schools, with educators receiving improved training to ensure they are adequately prepared to deliver competency-based learning.
School facilities, particularly in the areas of technical, arts, and sports education, will be enhanced to guarantee that students have access to all necessary resources for CBE.
The classification of schools will also undergo changes, with institutions categorized as either “triple pathway” or “double pathway” depending on their capacity to offer CBC career paths.
Triple pathway schools provide all three career pathways: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM); Arts and Sports Science; and Social Sciences. Double pathway schools offer only two of the three pathways, typically STEM and Social Sciences, or STEM and Arts and Sports Science.
The dialogue surrounding CBE is not unprecedented, as the Ministry continues to engage stakeholders to ensure that the curriculum is refined to enhance education for Kenyans.