Senior schools nationwide have successfully admitted their first cohort of Grade 10 learners, marking a significant milestone in the implementation of Kenya’s Competency-Based Education (CBE) curriculum and the initiation of senior school under this new framework.
The transition, initially met with concerns regarding infrastructure, staffing, and overall readiness, proceeded smoothly, with most institutions reporting orderly admissions and minimal disruptions.
Parents, learners, and education stakeholders expressed optimism as senior school officially began under the new curriculum framework.
Under CBE, Grade 10 learners specialize in either Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), Social Sciences, or Arts and Sports.
These pathways align education with learners’ abilities, interests, and talents, enabling students to begin shaping their career paths at an earlier stage.
In Kajiado County, Merishaw School experienced a high turnout of parents during enrollment, with the process described as efficient and well-organized.
Deputy Principal Paul Mwanza stated that the smooth transition demonstrated that schools applied lessons learned from earlier phases of the CBC implementation.
“Compared to the initial rollout of CBC, this phase was more organized. Parents came informed, learners understood their expectations, and the admission process proceeded without major challenges,” Mwanza noted.
Parents welcomed the learner-centered approach of the new curriculum, recognizing its departure from the one-size-fits-all model of the previous 8-4-4 system.
Ann Chabs, a parent at the school, remarked that the system finally acknowledges individual talents.
“For the first time, my child receives guidance based on her strengths, not just exam grades. This gives us confidence in the system’s direction,” she stated.
A similar trend emerged in Laikipia County, where the first group of Grade 10 learners began attending Nanyuki High School at the start of the week.
By Monday, approximately 200 students had enrolled, with the school anticipating a total of 700 learners by the end of the enrollment period.
Deputy Principal Gitonga King’ori reported that most learners chose the STEM pathway. However, the school established a career guidance desk to assist students in making informed decisions.
“We recognized that some learners may have selected pathways without sufficient information or due to peer or parental pressure. The career desk will guide them based on their performance in the Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA) and their personal interests,” King’ori explained.
Nanyuki High School offers all three pathways. The STEM pathway includes pure and applied sciences, as well as technical studies, featuring newly introduced subjects like metalwork.
The social sciences pathway offers six subjects, while the arts and sports pathway encompasses fine arts, music, dance, and several foreign languages.
Education stakeholders noted that the focus on practical learning and skills acquisition under CBE better prepares learners for a changing job market that increasingly values creativity, innovation, and problem-solving.
Teachers involved in the transition acknowledged that while challenges such as infrastructure and staffing persist, the benefits are already apparent.
Nationally, education experts view the successful enrollment of the inaugural Grade 10 cohort as a crucial test for the long-term success of the CBE curriculum.
The smooth admissions have bolstered confidence among stakeholders who previously expressed concerns about readiness.
As learners adjust to senior school, stakeholders remain optimistic that continued investment in facilities, teacher training, and policy support will strengthen the system and ensure that CBE fulfills its promise of equipping Kenyan learners with skills for life beyond the classroom.
