Why we need the new curriculum
The CBC is designed to connect with Vision 2030 to help our economy grow and our society flourish. From an economic perspective, CBC aims to fix the disconnect between the world of school and the world of work. We need more creative workers, able to think for themselves, with 21st century skills to make Kenya compete on the global stage.
From a social perspective, KICD aims to support every child to become an “engaged, empowered and ethical citizen.”
What does this mean for our schools? It means a shift of focus from teaching-for-exams to the continuous development of every learner; from lecturing students, to hands-on learning; and from memorizing facts to understanding and learning in groups.
Does the curriculum affect my child
The new curriculum is being rolled out one year at a time. The first CBC cohort piloted in 2017, and they will complete Grade 12 (currently Form 4) in 2028. If your child is already in Class 5 in 2020, they will be the last cohort to use 8-4-4, taking Form 4 in 2027.
Differences between 8.4.4 and CBC
The first difference is a change of emphasis from the tradition of chalk-and-talk teaching, to focusing on the student, by learning in groups and not just memorizing facts, but developing competencies, and understanding core values and important issues.
The second difference is that school is being restructured from 8-4-4 to 2-6-3-3-3. All students take 2 years of Pre-primary, then 6 years of Primary, and then 3 years of Junior School. If you pass the Grade 9 exams at 15 at the end of Junior School, you can then go on to take 3 years of Senior School. University under CBC will be just 3 years instead of 4.
The Core Competencies of CBC
There are 7 Core Competencies that are intended to help individuals fulfil their potential both in school and in life.
They are: Communication and Collaboration (working together), Self-efficacy, (having the confidence to do difficult things), Critical Thinking and Problem Solving (using logic, evidence, and seeing different perspectives), Creativity and Imagination (coming up with ideas and turning them into real creations), Citizenship (understanding the rights, privileges and duties of every citizen), Digital Literacy, (using devices to access and create information) and Learning to Learn (being curious to learn every day).
When do students take Exams in CBC
The current KCPE exams for Class 8 will be replaced by a Grade 9 exams under CBC. The last KCPE Exams will be sat in 2023 by Class 8. Under CBC, all students will progress from 6 years of Primary School to 3 years of Junior School. They will then take national exams at the end of Junior School, in Grade 9.
The last KCSE will be sat in 2027, and this will be replaced by Grade 12 exams in 2028.