The shortage has raised concerns over whether schools have adequate resources to support learners under the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system, particularly those who selected different subjects after joining Grade 10.
KICD Deputy Director of Secondary Education Subira Neema said the initial supply of textbooks was based on subject choices made by learners while in junior school, creating a mismatch between the materials delivered and the subjects some are now studying. Speaking at Joel Omino Senior School in Kisumu, Neema said the changes had left some institutions with books that did not meet their current learning requirements.
She said the institute was collecting fresh figures from schools to establish the extent of the shortages and determine the additional materials needed.
"We used the data that was based on the choices they made in junior school, and we found that some of those issues came up," she said.
Schools Asked to Report Shortages
KICD has urged school administrators to submit updated enrolment figures showing the number of learners taking each subject to help the institute identify gaps and respond to the affected institutions. Neema said the complaints were not limited to senior schools, noting that the institute had also received requests for learning materials from other levels of education. She called on school heads experiencing shortages to contact KICD directly through phone calls or written communication to facilitate a response to their specific needs.
The institute did not disclose the number of schools affected, the volume of additional textbooks required or when the missing materials would be delivered.
The shortage comes at a critical stage as schools implement the senior school curriculum, which allows learners to pursue subjects based on their interests, abilities and future career aspirations. Without the appropriate textbooks, affected learners risk facing difficulties accessing learning content and keeping pace with classroom instruction.
Warning Over Unapproved Textbooks
Neema also urged teachers and parents to ensure that learning materials used in schools have been approved by KICD, noting that the institute maintains an Orange Book containing a list of approved textbooks and other instructional materials for various grades and subjects. Parents and school administrators uncertain about the suitability of particular books were advised to seek guidance from the institute before using them.
The latest development highlights the need for closer coordination between schools and education authorities to ensure that textbook distribution keeps pace with changes in learners' subject selections.
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