Experts urge tighter teamwork to strengthen Kenya’s CBE rollout

A university professor has called for stronger collaboration to deliver a successful Competency-Based Education (CBE) system.

What has been reported

According to Education News, a university don has urged that stronger collaboration is needed to deliver successful CBE. The brief report highlights the call for more coordinated effort among stakeholders, but does not provide further specifics about the nature of the collaboration or the parties involved.

At this stage, the reports do not yet make clear which institutions or programmes will be directly affected, nor how the suggested collaboration will be operationalised. Parents and teachers are therefore advised to stay tuned for official updates from the Ministry of Education and relevant university bodies before drawing conclusions.

Why this matters for Kenyan families

The call for stronger collaboration signals that the CBE system is still evolving, and that its success depends on the joint effort of educators, policymakers, and families. For parents, this means paying close attention to any new guidelines that may emerge, as they could influence the resources and support required at home. Understanding that the curriculum is built on strands and sub-strands helps families align home activities with classroom expectations.

When stakeholders work together, the transition to CBE can become smoother, reducing the risk of confusion around assessment criteria and learning outcomes. Parents who stay informed can better assist children in mastering the competencies required for each grade, ensuring that learning remains continuous even as reforms are refined.

Key points for families:

• Monitor official communications from the Ministry of Education for updates on assessment rubrics.
• Identify the eight learning areas - Languages, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Technology, Creative Arts, Physical Education and Health, and Values Education - and note which sub-strands are highlighted in school reports.
• Use everyday situations to reinforce skills, for example, measuring ingredients while cooking to practise mathematics and science concepts.
• Encourage children to reflect on what they have learned each week and how it connects to real-life challenges.

Implications for teachers and schools

Teachers are at the front line of implementing CBE, and stronger collaboration may bring clearer guidance on lesson planning, formative assessment, and resource allocation. Schools could benefit from shared professional development programmes that focus on integrating the eight learning areas and the associated sub-strands into everyday teaching.

Enhanced teamwork may also foster a feedback loop where teachers can voice classroom challenges and receive timely support from universities or the Ministry. This could lead to more coherent instructional strategies, better alignment with national standards, and ultimately improved student outcomes across the competency framework.

Practical considerations for educators:

• Participate in joint workshops with university faculty to deepen understanding of competency descriptors.
• Adopt a portfolio approach to assessment, allowing students to showcase progress across knowledge, skills and attitudes.
• Share lesson resources and successful classroom activities with neighbouring schools through online platforms.
• Schedule regular meetings with parents to discuss the sub-strands being prioritised and to co-create support strategies.

Keeping your child learning during transitions

Regardless of pending details, parents can maintain momentum by reinforcing the core competencies outlined in the CBE syllabus. Regular reading, problem-solving activities, and practical projects that relate to the eight learning areas keep children engaged. Using everyday situations, such as budgeting for a family meal or exploring local biodiversity, helps embed the skills that CBE aims to develop.

Online resources are also valuable. For example, the Grade 8 materials and the Grade 9 materials on CBCEduKenya provide practice tasks aligned with current strands, allowing parents to supplement schoolwork with structured exercises that reinforce competency development.

Additional ideas for continuous learning:

• Set up a weekly “learning corner” at home where children can explore a chosen sub-strand through books, videos or simple experiments.
• Invite community members, such as local artisans or health workers, to demonstrate real-world applications of classroom concepts.
• Encourage children to keep a learning journal, noting what they have mastered and what they still find challenging.
• Use free educational apps that map to the CBE strands, ensuring screen time is purposeful and curriculum-aligned.

Practical steps parents can take now

First, create a simple learning schedule that dedicates short, regular slots to each of the eight learning areas. Include a mix of reading, hands-on activities, and reflective discussions to cover knowledge, skills and attitudes. Second, communicate with teachers to understand which sub-strands are being prioritised this term, and request any recommended home-based activities that complement classroom instruction.

Third, gather free or low-cost learning materials such as storybooks, science kits, and locally relevant case studies. Fourth, join parent forums or school-led workshops that discuss CBE implementation, as these platforms often share updates on collaborative initiatives. Finally, monitor your child’s progress through informal assessments, ask them to explain what they have learned and how they can apply it in real life, reinforcing the competency mindset that CBE promotes.

By staying engaged, collaborating with educators and making use of readily available resources, families can help ensure that Kenya’s CBE rollout delivers the promised improvements in learning quality and relevance.