The government has launched a nationwide training exercise targeting more than 400 county education trainers to prepare schools for the transition of Junior Secondary learners to senior school starting January 2026.
The retooling programme, spearheaded by the Ministry of Education and coordinated by the Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in Africa (CEMASTEA), seeks to equip education officers with the skills to guide schools through the new Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) framework.
Speaking during a workshop at Egerton University’s Agriculture Resource Centre, Director General for Basic Education Elias Abdi said the trainers would cascade the knowledge to Heads of Departments (HoDs) who will play a key role in implementing the new curriculum at the senior school level.
Under the new structure, senior schools will offer three career pathways — Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), Arts and Sports, and Social Sciences. Schools will either be classified as triple-pathway institutions offering all three or dual-pathway institutions offering STEM alongside one other pathway.
Abdi noted that approximately 60 percent of learners are expected to pursue the STEM track, 25 percent social sciences, and 15 percent arts and sports.
“The transition to senior school marks a significant milestone in Kenya’s education reform. It aligns learning with students’ abilities and career aspirations,” said Abdi, assuring Kenyans that the government is fully prepared for the Grade 10 rollout.
He acknowledged concerns over infrastructure, staffing, and financing but maintained that the government has developed a comprehensive programme to guide principals and school boards in implementing the senior school curriculum.
The training, themed “Enhancing the Capacity of STEM Heads of Departments to Manage Transition to Competency-Based Education,” is being conducted concurrently at Egerton University (Nakuru), CEMASTEA Headquarters (Nairobi), and Golf Hotel (Kakamega).
Facilitators have been drawn from CEMASTEA, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC), Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE), and county-level education trainers.
CEMASTEA Director for STEM Training Patrick Ogolla said the exercise builds on earlier sessions held in April and June for school principals. He emphasized that STEM education is vital for Kenya’s competitiveness in innovation, industrial growth, and technology advancement.
“Developing STEM literacy ensures our learners can adapt to emerging global challenges and create homegrown solutions,” Ogolla said.
He added that participants are being sensitized on Competency-Based Assessment (CBA), a continuous evaluation system designed to measure learners’ progress through practical skills, creativity, and innovation rather than rote memorization.
The assessments, Ogolla explained, will use multiple tools such as quizzes, projects, rubrics, and portfolios to cater to diverse learning needs and promote real-time feedback between teachers, parents, and learners.
TSC Director for Teacher Professional Management, Dr. Reuben Nthamburi Mugwuku, said the training was crucial in ensuring a seamless transition that upholds quality and inclusivity in the education system.
He urged teachers to embrace transformative teaching approaches and mentorship in preparing learners for the country’s industrial and knowledge-driven economy.
Dr. Mugwuku also linked the CBC reforms to global and continental goals, noting that STEM education supports Kenya’s alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Africa’s Agenda 2063 on innovation and skills development.
He said Kenya’s Sessional Paper No. 1 of 2019 identifies science and technology as key drivers of economic productivity and social progress.
“The success of this transition depends on teachers’ capacity to interpret the curriculum, integrate innovation in learning, and prepare our youth for future challenges,” he stated.
Abdi concluded by affirming that textbook distribution and student placement for Grade 10 will begin in December to ensure smooth admission in January 2026.
