The 2017 Education System Change in Kenya: Implementation of Competency-Based Curriculum
Overview
This paper examines Kenya's 2017 education system reform, which transitioned from the 8-4-4 system to a competency-based curriculum (CBC) structured as 2-6-3-3. The paper discusses the implementation process, including pilot testing across 470 schools, the shift from exam-oriented to performance-oriented assessment, and the opposition from teachers' unions regarding resource shortages and lack of preparation.
What this essay covers
- Introduction to the 2017 Kenyan education reform and CBC adoption
- Structure and components of the competency-based curriculum system
- Pilot implementation process and timeline
- Core competencies emphasized in CBC
- Opposition from Kenya National Union of Teachers and implementation challenges
Preview
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2017 Education System Change in Kenya
My reform is the 2017 Kenyan education system change; it is the second time the Kenyan government is implementing a complete change in its education system (KICD, 2020). The African country adopted a competency-based education system (CBC) of 2-6-3-3, from the 8-4-4 system. CBC is set to improve the education sector in the country, which for thirty-five years, was oriented on examinations excellence. The pilot project for the new system was carried out between April and September 2019 across 470 schools, which equated to ten schools in each county; Kenya has forty-seven counties. Under CBC, students spend two years in pre-primary, six years in primary renamed grades one to six, three years in junior secondary named grades 7,8 and 9, three years in senior secondary called grades 10, 11, and 12 then finally three years in the university (Momanyi & Rop, 2019).
The adoption of CBC was implemented by the then education cabinet Secretary DrDr Fred Matiangi. The system is expected to be performance-oriented as opposed to the old 8-4-4 system that was exam-oriented. Under CBC, students will not sit for national examinations, but they will be subjected to continuous assessment tests, CATs. Emphasis is put on the seven core competencies of critical thinking and problem-solving, citizenship, creativity and imagination, digital literacy, communication and collaboration, learning to learn, and self-efficacy (Olkishoo et al., 2019).