The government has officially launched the distribution of Grade 11 textbooks, marking another major milestone in the implementation of Competency-Based Education (CBE).
Speaking during the launch at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD), Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba said the new learning materials would strengthen teaching and learning as learners progress through the competency-based system.
“Today therefore marks another significant milestone in the implementation of these reforms and our continued commitment to providing quality and relevant learning resources for all learners,” Ogamba said.
He said the government’s investment in textbooks was aimed at ensuring learners and teachers have the resources needed to support effective teaching and learning.
“Today’s launch therefore goes beyond the provision of books. It represents our collective commitment to equitable access to quality learning resources,” the CS said.
Ogamba noted that textbooks allow learners to extend their learning beyond the classroom by allowing them to read, explore, practise and deepen their understanding.
He said the materials would also support teachers in lesson preparation, classroom instruction, assessment and the development of learner-centred activities.
The CS said the government had distributed 137,086,300 textbooks and set books under the former 8-4-4 curriculum between 2018 and 2023.
Under the transition to CBE, he said, the government had distributed 168,831,416 textbooks since 2019 to support learners from Grades 1 to 10.
The latest distribution includes Grade 11 textbooks, teachers’ guides for various learning areas, as well as Literature in English and Fasihi ya Kiswahili set books.
Ogamba said the Grade 11 materials had undergone a rigorous evaluation, vetting and correction process before being approved for distribution.
The CS said the government would continue supporting the implementation of the curriculum within agreed timelines and with the necessary resources.
“Let us give our learners the resources, support and opportunities they need to build that future,” he said.
He added that CBE was intended to move the education system beyond a narrow focus on examination performance and instead develop learners’ knowledge, skills, attitudes and values.
“Our goal is to nurture learners who can think critically, communicate effectively, collaborate with others, solve problems creatively, use technology responsibly, demonstrate resilience and adapt to a rapidly changing world,” Ogamba said.
Principal Secretary for Basic Education John Ololtuaa said the availability of textbooks was critical to supporting both learners and teachers as the country progresses with curriculum reforms.
Ololtuaa said the government remained committed to providing accessible, equitable, quality and relevant education, noting that the reforms were designed to respond to the changing needs of society, the economy and the world of work.
KICD Council Chairperson Prof Simon Nyutu Gicharu said the Grade 11 materials underwent vetting and evaluation in December 2025 before being subjected to correction and verification.
He said the Council had approved the materials after confirming that they met the required curriculum standards.
Gicharu further said the books cater for both regular learners and those with special educational needs.
He urged the Ministry of Education to provide KICD with timely and accurate data on schools, learners and subjects to prevent delays, oversupply or shortages of textbooks.
The KICD chairperson also appealed for timely facilitation of publishers to ensure the distribution of the Grade 11 textbooks and subsequent learning materials proceeds smoothly.
The launch brought together the Ministry of Education, KICD, publishers and other education stakeholders as Kenya advances with the phased implementation of CBE.
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