The Kenya’s curriculum changed from the 8-4-4 system which was based on teacher-centered approach and summative assessment criteria to the new 2-6-6-3 system which focuses on competency-based curriculum (CBC). The change was made in response to the promulgation of a new constitution in 2010 which clearly spelled out the rights of children to education. Among other changes that emanated from the new constitution is hundred-percent transition from primary to secondary school as well as the establishment of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). TVET is an education system that provides a framework for post-school training and development for young people and is managed by the State Department for Vocational and Technical Training under the Ministry of Education.
Core Values and Competencies
The competency based curriculum (CBC) in Kenya promotes 8 key values:
- Love
- Responsibility
- Respect
- Unity
- Peace
- Patriotism
- Social justice
- Integrity
CBC curriculum also focuses on 7 core competencies:
- Communication and Collaboration
- Critical thinking and Problem-solving
- Imagination and Creativity
- Citizenship
- Learning to learn
- Self-efficacy
- Digital Literacy
Every lesson is developed in a way to ensure that learners acquire all the 15 core values and competencies. For example, a teacher may tell learners to discuss the call of Moses in groups and share learning materials and utilize the internet in the process. This lesson promotes the following competencies: communication and collaboration, imagination and creativity, critical thinking, and digital literacy. At the same time, it fosters the core values of unity, respect, love and responsibility.
The 2-6-6-3 System
The CBC curriculum is based on the 2-6-6-3 model based on appropriate ages of learners as show below:
The 2-6-6-3 curriculum in Keya is structured into three key levels:
- Early Years: This is also known as pre-primary years and it takes two years. It includes:
- Pre-primary 1 (PP1)
- Pre-primary 2 (PP2)
- Middle School: The middle school consists of six years in primary school from grade 1-6
- Grade 1
- Grade 2
- Grade 3
- Grade 4
- Grade 5
- Grade 6
- Junior School: Junior secondary school has three grades:
- Grade 7
- Grade 8
- Grade 9
- Senior School: Senior secondary school also has three grades:
- Grade 10
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
- Tertiary Education: Students take a minimum of 3 years in the university or college.
Learning Areas
Previously students used to take a minimum of 8 subjects in secondary school and 5 subjects in primary. Subjects have now been changed to learning areas.
Learning Areas in Lower Primary
There are 7 learning areas in lower primary, which include:
- Indigenous language
- Kiswahili
- Mathematics
- English
- Religious Education
- Environmental Activities (including hygiene and nutrition)
- Creative activities (including arts and sports)
Learning Areas in Upper Primary
There are 8 learning areas in upper primary – middle school and junior school:
- English
- Kiswahili
- Mathematics
- Religious Education
- Social Studies
- Creative Arts
- Science and Technology
- Agriculture and Nutrition
In junior school, Science and Technology is replaced with Pre-Technical Studies, which combines computer studies with business studies. Visual arts, performing arts, sports and PE are also merged to form Arts and Sports as follows:
Learning Areas in Junior School
Learning areas in Junior School, grade 7-9, are:
- English
- Kiswahili
- Mathematics
- Integrated Science (Physics, Chemistry and Biology)
- Social Studies
- Religious Education
- Pre-Technical Studies
- Arts and Sports
- Agriculture and Nutrition
Assessments
There are two types of assessments under the CBC curriculum: Formative and summative assessments. These assessments are conducted at different levels of learning to assess students’ knowledge and abilities based on the curriculum designs developed by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD).
Formative assessments
These are types of assessment are done at school as learning continues. It is used to identify areas of improvement, strengths, and weaknesses of learners. It is also integrated into the learning process to improve learning and development. At the end of every topic, the teacher may give tests to learners to assess their knowledge acquisition. Exams are also given at the end of the term to assess learners’ progress. Furthermore, KNEC gives school-based assessments every year from grade 4 to grade 9 and contributes towards the students’ final grading.
Summative Assessment
Summative assessments are conducted to conclude each level of education. They are used to evaluate learners’ knowledge, skills and attitudes after the learning process has been concluded at each level. CBC curriculum in Kenya has 5 summative assessments:
- The Kenya Early Years Assessment (KEYA) which is done at the end of Grade 3. This is a school-based assessment.
- Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) which is done in Grade 6. This is a national assessment done countrywide and marked in one central location.
- Kenya Middle Years Assessment (KMYA): This is a national assessment done to mark the end of junior secondary in grade 9. They are used to determine learners’ career paths in STEM, social sciences, or arts and sports.
- Kenya Intermediate Level Education Assessment (KILEA) is a national exam done by learners who follow a stage-based pathway to prepare them for entry into pre-vocational level.
- Kenya Certificate of Basic Education (KCBE): this is done in grade 12 to mark the end of senior school and basic education in general; it prepares learners for entry into university and tertiary colleges.
