GOVERNMENT UNVEILS PROPOSALS TO RESTRUCTURING CBC FOR JUNIOR AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS

• The government has announced proposals to streamline the Competency‑Based Curriculum (CBC), targeting Grades 7, 8, and 9 in a bid to ease staffing pressures, improve continuity in learning, and address infrastructure challenges.
• According to the plan, the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) will review the Grade 7 and Grade 8 curriculum to ensure it reflects primary‑level learning more accurately. The review is expected to align with Section 4(d) of the KICD Act, 2013, making the curriculum more suitable for learners at that developmental stage.
• In a significant shift, Grades 7 and 8 will be reclassified as Junior School, rather than Junior Secondary School. Under the proposal, these classes will be taught by primary school teachers guided by the existing Career Progression Guidelines (CPG), in line with Section 11(e) of the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Act, 2012. Education experts say the move could ease staffing shortages while strengthening continuity between primary and junior levels.
• The proposals further recommend that Grade 9 transition into Senior School, joining Grades 10, 11, and 12 to form a unified secondary school structure. Officials argue this adjustment will help resolve infrastructure and staffing challenges currently faced by schools hosting Junior Secondary learners.
• On teacher deployment, the TSC is expected to reassign all current Junior Secondary teachers, including interns, to secondary schools to bridge shortages across the country. The Ministry of Education has also pledged to provide resources, including learning materials and institutional support, to ensure the transition is smooth.

The proposals have sparked debate among education stakeholders, with calls for consultation before implementation. Experts warn that while the changes could strengthen the CBC framework, they must be carefully managed to ensure a smooth transition and minimal disruption to learners and teachers.

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