What is Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) in Kenya? (Detailed Illustration)

understanding Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) in Kenya all grades

In simple terms, the Kenyan Competency-based Curriculum (CBC) is a new system of education designed by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) team and launched by the ministry of education in 2017. The CBC is designed to emphasize the significance of developing skills and knowledge and also applying those competencies to real-life situations.

understanding Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) in Kenya all grades
understanding Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) in Kenya all grades/Photo

7 Core competencies of CBC

The creators of the competency-based curriculum envision that at the end of the learning period, every learner should have achieved the following competencies

  1. Communication and collaboration
  2. Critical thinking and problem solving
  3. Imagination and creativity
  4. Citizenship
  5. Learning to learn
  6. Self-efficacy
  7. Digital literacy

CBC life values

At the end of the learning period the learner should have been molded to have the following values’;

  • Love
  • Responsibility
  • Respect
  • Unity
  • Peace
  • Patriotism
  • Integrity

Levels of competency-based curriculum

CBC is divided into three levels as illustrated in the figure below

  • Early Years Education
  • Middle School Education
  • Senior School

What is different in the new curriculum?

  • Class are now called Grade.
  • ECD has two levels only (Pre-Primary 1 and 2) that is PP1 and PP2
  • Subject areas are now reoffered to as learning areas.
  • Topics/sub-topics are now known as strands/sub-strands.
  • learning outcomes is the new term that replaces lesson objectives.
  • learning resources are used instead of teaching aids.

Infographic illustrating the competency based curriculum

Infographic illustration of the competency Based Curriculum (CBC) in Kenya
Infographic illustration of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) in Kenya/Photo

Information in the above illustration was obtained from Details of 2-6-6-3 curriculum design

NOTE: The above image can be visible clearly on a computer. If you are viewing it on your mobile phone just download and expand it.

You might also be interested to learn about CBC assessment and grade transition.

CBC Schemes of work, lesson plans, and notes

For CBC schemes of work, lesson plans, and notes visit: Muthurwa Marketplace

Do not miss all our updates on understanding the competency-based curriculum in Kenya

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by

Elvis Nyakangi

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41 responses

  1. Hummingtonelton Avatar
    Hummingtonelton

    The CBC curriculum is good but also confusing for the 2*6*6*3 system.Alsii some secondary Schools had already prepared facilities for CBC intake 2023.Why not admitted in the high school and why not board in the boarding schools plz reply

    Reply
  2. Juma silas Avatar
    Juma silas

    A good move,

    Reply
  3. Yoooo Avatar
    Yoooo

    Spelled “Grade” incorrectly on Upper Primary section…

    Reply
  4. Denoo Avatar
    Denoo

    This system is for developed countries…some pple r doing experiment using c.b.c to see if it works well….c.b.c should b stopped like b.b.i…..why do we strain to know something yet there r no enough facilities to use…….8.4.4 system should be returned back

    Reply
  5. Denoo Avatar
    Denoo

    Cbc favours children of rich people….coz most of children from rich families DNT work hard…..so 8*4*4 system was the best

    Reply
  6. Keason kiptoo arap keya Avatar
    Keason kiptoo arap keya

    The system is good but it shouldn’t be hurried because its new, we need to be slow are sure rather than hurrying and fail the whole system. There should be a smooth transition from the old system.

    Reply
  7. Barrack Avatar
    Barrack

    This is great. Quite informative. Keep it up.

    Reply
  8. Simon Kigamba Avatar
    Simon Kigamba

    This is the best move,it is practical and real ,,,let’s move with it,cbc for better kenya and lives of kenyans

    Reply
  9. Onesmus Kamau Avatar
    Onesmus Kamau

    Untill we emphises on our own language everything will work perfectly, must we copy other people’s language? i.e make english optional let not force this foreign language to our kids.

    Reply
    1. josiah Avatar
      josiah

      if you must embrace on your local language you must have your local market and nobleness in the production sector

      Reply
  10. Mary kisach Avatar
    Mary kisach

    CBC is indeed the way to go…it will enable the learners to develop the 21st century skills that will enable them to be revelant in the global market.

    To all the revelant stakeholders congratulations and keep the ball rolling.

    Reply
  11. Olando Were Avatar
    Olando Were

    where will the lower secondary school be situated?

    Reply
  12. Gilbert, Avatar
    Gilbert,

    Hi, am Gilbert, CBC is the real directive goal, all keep it up!

    Reply
  13. Isaac Avatar
    Isaac

    Please let me know the intake of students doing new curriculum of education after the p1 was phased out

    Reply
    1. Paul Avatar
      Paul

      It’s the best

      Reply
  14. Arta hussein Avatar
    Arta hussein

    Kindly need a verification of when the CBC programme teachers intake will be

    Reply
  15. Amadeus Kolachtiony Avatar
    Amadeus Kolachtiony

    True this is great

    Reply
  16. Charles Avatar
    Charles

    Hi,kindy send me cbc cylabuss for pp1 and pp2

    Reply
  17. Anderson Avatar
    Anderson

    observation study made. Most schools are still closed into paid for commercial formative assessments testing, ranking, putting the ranking sheets on notice board as those ranked at the bottom are laughed at by others in class, assembly and parents. Local educational directorate are aware of this without action taken. So, let the education ministry act as they are not aware of th evils on the background. Act please.

    Reply
  18. Koech Collins Avatar
    Koech Collins

    Hello my name is Koech CollinsWow! The new curriculum is very nice and its suitable to development of our country. According to my own point of view,this system will produce quality graduates,but my question is who will be the teachers for lower secondary is it p1 teachers or degree teachers,l will appreciate your response. Thank you

    Reply
  19. Ali Kiwaka Avatar
    Ali Kiwaka

    Hi,Im Ali Kiwaka . It ought to be a good curricurrum.Kindly send me a whole syllubus of cbc.

    Reply
  20. Brian Nyoike Avatar
    Brian Nyoike

    CBC is the way to go. Congratulations KICD for developing CBC. It is easier, understandable and enjoyable. We are happy and have embraced the new curriculum.

    Reply
  21. Goerge Kabera Avatar
    Goerge Kabera

    Hi my name is George.I am a computer teacher in a certain school.The only enquiry i have is whether we have computer lesson materials for CBC or what ways do i need to implement CBC in computer lesson ,i need to be re eqquipped by january before the schools open since i have to also give a report on the same to my director.Kindly if there is a way that can be helpful i will really appeciate.
    Kind regard.

    Reply
  22. Oscar Avatar
    Oscar

    J like this curriculum. Keep it up.

    Reply
  23. Oscar Avatar
    Oscar

    Lower and upper secondary will they be in the same school?

    Reply
    1. Elvis Nyakang'i Avatar
      Elvis Nyakang’i

      They can be under one management but it will depend on whether the school can afford the infrastructure for senior school (upper secondary).

      Reply
  24. antony Avatar
    antony

    kindly help on how to sign a. competency based curriculum

    Reply
  25. nicholas Avatar
    nicholas

    it is so good, but let me know how changes in geography and religious education will affect lower and upper secondary teachers.

    Reply
  26. Encok Avatar
    Encok

    This is the best

    Reply
  27. carol sila Avatar
    carol sila

    very good move
    kindly send me the whole syllabus for cbc

    Reply
  28. bevalyne kwamboka Avatar
    bevalyne kwamboka

    his is the best curriculum ever the tsc and the teachers union should work together to ensure that it has been implemented.
    anyway this can be greatly achieved by not associating the cbc with the politics
    or, we need a political will to achieved the cbc

    Reply
    1. edu Avatar
      edu

      I disagree no one is considering the hardship areas

      Reply
  29. Kakundi Avatar
    Kakundi

    A good change .Kindly send the CBC module to me

    Reply
  30. Olaka Avatar
    Olaka

    Lower secondary and Senior school will it be in the same school?

    Reply
  31. Haron Kelwon Avatar
    Haron Kelwon

    The CBC is a wonderful curriculum,yet TSC and ministry of Education has failed to sit together and assess the situation and it’s implementation in schools.The problem revolves around the workload needed for teachers to come up with and meet individual pupil needs in classroom set up . The pupil : teacher ratio is poor especially in public schools .The government should be kind enough and reduce subjects handled by a single teacher to two in order to realize the fruits of CBC.Assessing , grading,and placement of a large class of learners in grade 1_3 is overwhelming for the few teachers as subjects has been increased.For ICT , the number of TDD’s be increased to six ;3 for grade 1_3,3one for ICT champion and 2 for grade 4_6.

    Reply
  32. Cillah Avatar
    Cillah

    The detailed information on CBC is excellent keep it up! CBC is skill based an excellent way to build a new generation, great core values, and great competencies. We are open to the new Curriculum

    Reply
    1. Charles Avatar
      Charles

      Hi ,five year old should be in which class ,is it pp1 or pp2

      Reply
  33. Reuben Yogo Avatar
    Reuben Yogo

    Please send me the CBC teacher trainee module in my email

    Reply
    1. Lilyan anyanzwa Avatar
      Lilyan anyanzwa

      Kindly asking for the same

      Reply
  34. A. Gichuru Avatar
    A. Gichuru

    My daughter joined grade one and the class was given a midterm test and the pupils ranked and the list placed on the schools notice board. Is this a good approach to CBC?

    Reply
    1. Tito Avatar
      Tito

      The whole ranking system is out dated. It does nothing but show that some people are good at memorising what is required to pass a test and demotivates those at the bottom of the list. It really serves no purpose at such a young age. If we must have a ranking system it should just be for the final years of secondary school and should only rank the top 3, the rest should be left unranked.

      Reply

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