The Ministry of Education (MoE) has issued new guidelines on the selection and study of set books in Literature in English and Fasihi ya Kiswahili for Senior School under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
In a circular dated February 23, 2026, addressed to all County Directors of Education, the State Department for Basic Education outlined the framework that will guide the teaching, learning and assessment of literature texts in Grades 10, 11 and 12 under the CBC.
Basic Education Principal Secretary Prof. Julius Bitok said the guidelines are aimed at ensuring consistency, proper sequencing and alignment with the Curriculum Designs developed by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD).
“The genres identified in the Curriculum Designs guide on the expected learning outcomes, projected time and the number of texts to be studied. For consistency in scope and sequence, some texts are designated as set books to be studied and assessed over a period of time,” Prof. Bitok said.
Structured Text Selection Under CBC Framework
According to the circular, learners in Grade 10 will study a play and a novel drawn from Kenya.
Grade 11 students will focus on texts from Africa.
In Grade 12, learners will study works from around the world, ensuring progressive exposure to local, continental, and global literature under the CBC curriculum.
The guidelines further indicate that students will study one autobiography and one biography as set texts during the three years of Senior School.
Additionally, an anthology comprising selections from Kenya, Africa and the rest of the world will also form part of the required reading.
MoE Directs Compliance Ahead of CBC Rollout
Prof. Bitok noted that the move is intended to enrich learners’ literary experiences while nurturing critical thinking, creativity and appreciation of diverse cultures within the CBC framework.
County Directors of Education have been directed to ensure full compliance with the new guidelines as schools prepare for the rollout of Senior School under the CBC framework.
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The ministry said the structured approach will promote standardisation across the country and support effective implementation of literature studies at the Senior School level.
By our reporter
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