CBC Curriculum 1

Running head: COMPETENCY BASED CURRICULUM

Competency Based Curriculum in Kenya

Victor M. Mbokola

Kenyatta University

EMP 721: Curriculum Development

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Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) is a new system of education designed by the

Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development which is meant to emphasize on the application of

competencies learnt to real life situations (Nyakang'i, 2018). The reason for rolling out the new

curriculum must have been informed by challenges the preceding system; 8-4-4 system, may

have experienced over the years. It has faced a lot of criticism which will also form some of the

basis of discussion in this paper besides expounding on the changes that will be realized in the

new system.

One of the major changes that will come into play is the new emphasis on Continuous

Assessment Tests (CATs) over one-of examinations that have been the norm in Kenya for a long

time (Schools Net Kenya, 2018). This is a step forward since your final attainment is not only by

virtue of one exam. The one-of exams namely the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education

(KCPE) and the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) have made schooling too

competitive and a lot of weight placed on the marks you attain in these exams. There have been

cases where students have committed suicide for the simple fact that they felt they had failed in

their exams. In addition, the fact that one exam determines how much you have done over a span

of 8 years in primary school or four years in high school is unfair to the student and may not in

most cases reflect the true level of attainment for an individual. This therefore is a step in the

right direction.

Another major change that is worth noting is the fact that it places emphasis on the

mental abilities of students as well as the nurturing of competencies based on passion and talent

(Schools Net Kenya, 2018). Instead of students just thinking of careers that are more financially

rewarding, by realizing their actual strengths they can associate them with ideal courses for their

future. The junior school category is the level where this will be most done to enable students
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make better informed choices when they move to senior school (Schools Net Kenya, 2018). This

is a move in the right direction. Most students at an early age prefer being doctors and some hold

on to this all the way to secondary school yet they may not actually by gifted towards that career

path. The career guidance programs that will be part of the curriculum will help students to

aspire towards relevant career paths.

The above are not the only improvements but are quite major ones that need to be hailed.

Besides the positive changes the Competencies Based Curriculum has come with, it is important

to mention the competencies and life values meant to be achieved through it. The competencies

are; Communication and collaboration, critical thinking and problem solving, imagination and

creativity, citizenship, learning to learn, self-efficacy and digital literacy (Nyakang'i, 2018). The

life values are; love, responsibility, respect, unity, peace, patriotism and integrity (Nyakang'i,

2018). Another thing to note is the levels of competency in the new curriculum. In the new

structure has three levels; early years, middle and senior schools. These levels are further

subdivided. The first stage is Pre-Primary which is 2 years followed by Lower Primary which

will take a minimum of 3 years (Schools Net Kenya, 2018). Next is Upper Primary which will

also take a minimum of 3 academic years. Next will be junior school then Senior School

(Schools Net Kenya, 2018).

Other differences have also come with these new curriculum. Classes will now be

referred to as grades, subject areas will now be learning areas, topics will be strands, lesson

objectives are now learning outcomes and teaching aids will be referred to as learning resources

(Nyakang'i, 2018). There are other differences that will become much clearer as the curriculum is

implemented and assessed. The overall aim is that the curriculum should be of benefit to the

learners and help them attain their full potentials and be responsible citizens of Kenya.
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References

Nyakang'i, E. (2018). What is Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) in Kenya? (Detailed

Illustration). Retrieved from Kenyayote: http://kenyayote.com
Schools Net Kenya. (2018, May 18). Cometency Based Curriculum Framework. Retrieved from
Schools Net Kenya: http://schoolsnetkenya.com