The Ministry of Education has received highlights of the report of county stakeholder dialogues on Competency Bases Education (CBE) conducted in 2025.
The report was presented during The National Conversation on CBE held on 24th April 2025 in Nairobi. This conversation included teachers and relevant ministry officers who sit at the grassroots level of execution of the curriculum.
Speaking during the opening of the event Cabinet Secretary for Education Julius Migos Ogamba said the county dialogues were aimed at updating stakeholders on the status of the CBE implementation, providing platform for stakeholder’s participation in the validation of transition guidelines from Junior School to senior school.
The issues that were raised during the County Dialogues 2025 include national readiness audit which entail assessment of senior schools and preparedness for implementing pathways.
CS Ogamba said the issue was addressed, the government has undertaken a comprehensive assessment to ensure a smooth transition for Grade 9 learners to senior secondary school.
This year MOE will construct 1,600 laboratories for schools that do not have which will be ready before the year ends.
The selection process for grade 9 students begins on May 20, after students have taken the Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA).
“ I urge all of your – especially teachers, parents and guardians – to guide our Grade 9 candidates adequately as they start to select their Senior Schools of choice. This exercise will start on May 20, 2025,” the CS said.
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The stakeholders had also called for capacity building, the MoE initiated infrastructure mapping, it has also prioritized STEM equipment distribution, and training of teachers in STEM is ongoing through CEMASTEA.
The stakeholders also called for stabilizations and localization of the curriculum. They called on govt to minimize frequent reviews and tailor content to enhance its local relevance.
Prof. Charles Ochieng’ Ong’ondo Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) indicated that they have completed the rationalization of the curriculum. The govt has also developed career guidelines and are now ready for sharing.
Teaching and learning materials for rationalized areas are also ready for distribution.
The KICD also plans to conduct a needs assessment within the financial year 2024/ 2025.
The MOE is relying on local and TVs for empowerment of all education stakeholders; it has also translated guidelines for parental engagement to Kiswahili.
On assistive materials and infrastructure the government has established a factory for manufacturing assistive devices at Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE).
The stakeholders also raised issue on assessment integrity and fairness, the government has put in place standardized grading, training of teachers is ongoing school based assessment on administrative SBA, updates of scores and value of record, schools have also been using parents’ Annual General Meeting for sensitization.
The govt has also prepared career guidance for junior and pre vocational schools and they are ready for sharing.
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During his closing remarks the CS said the biggest take-away from the conversation has been a resolution of offering mathematics as a compulsory subject for all students in Senior School.
“We have set up a technical team that will work with the experts from the KICD to determine the modalities of offering mathematics in the Senior School level,” he said.
Ogamba said the ministry will also immediately start consultations on ways to ensure a robust mechanism is in place to facilitate reentry and assessments for private candidates to ensure they complete their basic education.
The MOE continues to monitor fees guidelines through audits by the schools audit department and Office of the Auditor-General. It is also offering school fees through CDF bursaries, Elimu Scholarship and other programs.
By Obegi Malack
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