Parents decry lack of proper guidance on Competency-Based Education
By Nancy Marende, October 13, 2025Parents have raised concerns about inadequate communication and a lack of proper guidance on the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system, stating that the gap in awareness continues to affect both learners and guardians.
Speaking on Monday, October 13, 2025, Martha Mugi, the Vice Chair of the National Parents Association (NPA), stated that many parents still struggle to understand how the new education system operates due to limited sensitization and training.
Also Watch: GRADE 9 LEARNERS TO CHOOSE SENIOR SCHOOL PATHWAYS NEXT WEEK
“I think we have a few challenges, especially because there is a gap when it comes to how well parents are prepared,” Mugi said. “We do not have proper communication, educating parents on CBE.”
“The fact that it is a new system means we have so much to learn, both the parents and the learners, and if the two are not understanding, then there is a communication breakdown,” she added.
Education CS
This comes a week after Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba assured Kenyans that the government is fully prepared for a smooth transition of learners under the CBE system as the 2025 national examination and assessment season officially begins.
Speaking on October 3, 2025, Ogamba stated that the Ministry of Education has developed a robust plan, which includes a budgetary allocation for 1,600 new laboratories in schools that currently lack them.
He explained that this is part of the preparations for the historic 2026 transition of the first CBE cohort to senior school.
“The textbooks for use by learners are ready for distribution countrywide and will be in schools before the start of Term One,” he said.
Speaking during the launch of the 2025 national examinations and assessments, the CS added that Sh950 million has been allocated this financial year to retool teachers to ensure effective delivery of the new curriculum.
Ogamba emphasised that accountability and prudent use of resources remain key priorities.
He revealed that the Ministry is finalising a verification exercise to determine the actual number of schools and learners at the basic education level.
“Thus far, a total of 37,128 schools with 8,820,703 learners have been verified, and capitation has already been disbursed to them. Only verified schools and learners will continue receiving funding,” Ogamba said.
Also Watch: PS defends new education system CBE over CBC, calls it the best in the world as the rollout begins.
On the 2025 national examinations, Ogamba noted that 1,130,669 learners will sit the inaugural Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA), 1,298,089 candidates will take the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA), while 996,078 candidates will sit the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE).
He stressed that the KJSEA will be a critical tool in placing learners into senior school pathways—STEM, Social Sciences, and Arts and Sports Science—pathways that will shape their career choices and future contributions to the nation.
“This is why we must ensure that examinations and assessments reflect the honest work of learners. We will have no mercy on anyone caught engaging in malpractices,” Ogamba warned.
He urged all centre managers, invigilators, and supervisors to enforce strict compliance with regulations.