The Ministry of Education has officially outlined the implementation framework for Senior School under the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC), as the first cohort of CBC learners prepares to transition into Grade 10 in January 2026.
In a circular issued by Julius Bitok, CBS, Principal Secretary for Basic Education, Senior School has been designated as the fourth level of basic education under CBC, following Pre-Primary (PP1 & PP2), Primary (Grades 1–6), and Junior School (Grades 7–9).
Senior School, which encompasses Grades 10 to 12, will cater to learners aged approximately 15 to 17 years. At this level, learners will be expected to begin shaping their academic and career pathways through a carefully designed subject selection process.
Three Pathways at Senior School
Subjects in Senior School are organized into three distinct pathways:
- Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
- Arts and Sports Science
- Social Sciences
The pathways are designed to give learners a pre-tertiary, pre-university, or pre-career experience, allowing them to focus on areas where they have shown interest, aptitude, or talent in earlier schooling stages.
Subject Selection and Structure
All learners in Senior School will take seven subjects, four of which are compulsory:
- English
- Kiswahili (or Kenya Sign Language)
- Mathematics (Core or Essential, based on pathway)
- Community Service Learning (CSL)
STEM learners will take Core Mathematics, while learners in the Arts and Social Science pathways will take Essential Mathematics. However, any learner who demonstrates aptitude and interest may opt to take Core Mathematics based on their Junior School assessment results.
In addition to the four core subjects, learners will choose three elective subjects, at least two of which should come from their chosen pathway. Learners may also be allowed to mix subjects across pathways if their career interests require such flexibility.
Additional Learning Areas
To support holistic development, all learners will also engage in:
- Physical Education (PE)
- Information Communication and Technology (ICT)
- Learner Personal Growth Study
- Pastoral/Religious Programme of Instruction (P/RPI)
Schools are reminded to respect learners’ religious beliefs and must not coerce students into participating in religious activities that conflict with their convictions, as per Ministry Circular Ref No: MOE.HQs/3/10/18 dated March 4, 2022.
Weekly Lesson Allocation
Senior School learners will have a structured 40-lesson week, with each lesson lasting 40 minutes. The distribution includes:
- 5 lessons each for English, Kiswahili, and Mathematics
- 3 lessons for CSL
- 5 lessons each for the three elective subjects
- Additional sessions for PE (3), ICT (2), Learner Personal Growth (1), and P/RPI (1)
Curriculum Preparedness
The Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) has finalized curriculum designs for all Senior School subjects, and schools are expected to align accordingly. A full subject list across all pathways has been provided in the implementation circular.
Preparing for Tertiary Education
The circular also directs the Departments of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and Higher Education to review and align their curricula in readiness for the first cohort of CBC graduates, expected to join tertiary institutions in 2029.
Implementation and Oversight
The Principal Secretary has instructed all Quality Assurance and Standards Officers, as well as Principals of Senior Schools, to ensure the effective rollout of this phase of the CBC. Full compliance and monitoring will be essential for a smooth transition.