Catholic Bishops Call for Urgent Review of CBE Rollout
The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) has urged the government to conduct an immediate and thorough review of the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system, citing serious concerns over its implementation.
Speaking on April 16, the bishops warned that the current rollout risks turning learners into subjects of continuous experimentation. Nairobi Archbishop Philip Anyolo emphasized that the government had sufficient expertise to properly plan and streamline the system before introducing it.
The bishops called on the Ministry of Education to form a multisectoral team of experts to assess, refine, and clearly structure how the CBE system should operate across the country.
While acknowledging that CBE was introduced to enhance practical skills, creativity, and critical thinking, they noted that its rollout has exposed significant gaps in planning, design, and funding.
According to the clergy, many schools are struggling due to a lack of adequate teachers, learning materials, equipment, and infrastructure required to effectively support the new curriculum.
They stressed that a transparent and structured review process would help address the challenges faced by teachers, parents, and students.
The concerns come amid growing public debate over the transition from the 8-4-4 system, as Grade 10 learners continue to face hurdles such as shortages of teachers, textbooks, and laboratory facilities under the new system.
