What Parents Need to Know as Universities Prepare for CBC Graduates

Universities have been urged to prepare for competency-based learners, according to a recent report. The call reflects the growing presence of CBC graduates entering higher education.

What the report says

According to Citizen Digital, universities are being asked to ready themselves for students who have completed their secondary education under the competency-based education (CBE) system. The article highlights a collective appeal from educators and policymakers who want higher-learning institutions to recognise the distinct assessment methods used in CBC programmes. They stress that university curricula, admission criteria and support services should align with the competencies demonstrated through strands and sub-strands such as Literacy, Numeracy and Life Skills.

The report does not yet provide further specifics about how universities plan to adapt their programmes or what timelines are being considered. As a result, parents and teachers are awaiting more detailed guidance from higher-education bodies and the Ministry of Education. Stakeholders are expected to engage in consultations that will clarify credit recognition, bridging courses and the role of continuous assessment in university entry. Until those details emerge, families are encouraged to keep track of their child’s competency portfolios and stay informed through school communications.

Why this matters for Kenyan families

For Kenyan families, the prospect of universities recognising CBE learners can influence decisions about secondary school choice and future study plans. When higher-learning institutions understand the value of competency-based assessment, they are more likely to accept portfolios that demonstrate mastery of specific strands rather than relying solely on traditional examinations. This shift can open doors for students who excel in practical tasks, collaborative projects and problem-solving, aligning their strengths with university programmes that value applied knowledge.

Parents can also benefit from early awareness of university expectations, allowing them to guide children toward extracurricular activities that reinforce the same competencies. For example, participation in science clubs, community service or digital literacy workshops can provide evidence of the sub-strand outcomes that universities may look for. By aligning home support with the competencies highlighted in the CBC curriculum, families can help their children build a robust portfolio that showcases both academic and practical achievements.

Implications for teachers and schools

Teachers will need to ensure that classroom activities and assessments are clearly mapped to the CBC strands and sub-strands that universities may evaluate. This may involve creating detailed rubrics that capture not only knowledge but also skills such as critical thinking, communication and digital competence. By documenting these outcomes in student portfolios, educators provide a transparent record that can be readily reviewed by admission officers. Such alignment also supports continuous assessment practices that are central to the competency-based approach.

Schools may consider professional development sessions focused on portfolio building, data management and communication with higher-education partners. Collaborative planning between subject teachers can ensure that cross-cutting competencies, such as problem-solving and teamwork, are consistently recorded across different strands. By fostering a school-wide culture of competency documentation, institutions can better prepare their learners for the transition to university environments that value demonstrable skills. In addition, schools can establish liaison committees that meet regularly with university representatives to discuss alignment and share best practices.

Keeping your child learning during the transition

While policy discussions continue, parents can reinforce competency development at home by encouraging activities that mirror CBC learning outcomes. Simple projects such as budgeting a family grocery list, conducting a small science experiment or creating a short video presentation can deepen understanding of numeracy, inquiry and communication sub-strands. Regular reflection sessions where the child explains what they learned and how it connects to real-life situations help cement mastery. Parents can also use checklists to track progress across each strand, ensuring a balanced development.

The current term and upcoming holidays offer a natural window for focused practice. Families might allocate a few hours each week for competency-based tasks, using resources available on CBCEduKenya such as Grade 7 resources or the interactive platform Somo AI. These tools provide guided activities aligned with the CBC curriculum, allowing learners to build evidence of skill acquisition that can later be included in their university portfolios. Consistent engagement not only reinforces learning but also creates a documented trail that universities can review when assessing applications.

Practical steps parents can take now

The first step for parents is to review their child’s competency portfolio and identify any strands that may need additional evidence. This can be done by consulting the teacher’s end-of-term reports, checking the school’s online portal or arranging a brief meeting with the class teacher. Understanding where the learner stands helps families target specific activities that will strengthen the overall profile. Parents should also verify that all completed projects, assessments and extracurricular achievements are properly recorded in the school’s digital system.

Second, families can make use of free online materials such as Grade 9 materials and the exam preparation page Grade 9 exams to practise key competencies during school breaks. Setting realistic weekly goals, celebrating completed tasks and keeping a simple log of outcomes will create a habit of continuous improvement. Finally, staying in touch with university admission offices to ask about competency-based entry requirements will ensure that the child’s preparation remains aligned with future expectations.