The government has announced sweeping preparations to ensure the first cohort of Grade 9 learners transitions smoothly to senior school under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) next year. Basic Education Principal Secretary (PS) Amb. Julius Bitok confirmed that 1,600 science laboratories are currently under construction in public schools nationwide to facilitate the shift.
Speaking during a tour of the Gravity CBC Centre in Nairobi, PS Bitok assured parents that all 1.2 million Grade 9 learners set to sit for their final examinations in October will secure placement in Grade 10. This marks the first major transition under the CBC since its inception.
“We have started rolling out 1,600 laboratories around the country. For the small schools that didn’t have labs, we have mapped out all of them and we are hoping that in the next three months all the labs will be ready,” said Bitok. He added that the government has already built 23,000 classrooms in the last two years to strengthen the CBC framework.
The PS stressed the importance of hands-on, practical learning a key departure from the previous 8-4-4 system’s focus on rote memorization. He lauded private and faith-based organizations for their contributions, urging more collaboration to expand access to resources and skill-based training.
The Gravity CBC Centre, which Bitok described as a model for replication across the country, offers students a wide range of practical experiences. Learners engage in basic life skills like cooking, cleaning, and bed-making, as well as more complex subjects such as understanding human body systems and motor mechanics. Notably, the centre uses locally sourced materials to help students relate to their learning environment.
“When you bring equipment from abroad, learners may not connect,” Bitok observed. “This centre shows how local innovation can bridge the gap between theory and practice.”
The PS underscored that well-equipped resource centres are vital in preparing learners for life beyond the classroom. He called on stakeholders to invest in innovative, locally relevant solutions that align with the CBC’s core pillars, ensuring that by the time learners make the Grade 9 to 10 transition, they possess practical knowledge and skills essential for their future careers.
