The Ministry of Education has issued a directive requiring Kenyan universities to retrain their teaching staff and revise curricula to align with the Competency-Based Education (CBE) framework. This announcement was made by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, signaling a significant policy shift for higher education as the country prepares for the first cohort of Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) students to enter universities in 2029.

In a speech delivered on his behalf by Principal Secretary for Higher Education Beatrice Inyangala at Alupe University's fourth graduation ceremony on Thursday, November 13, 2025, CS Ogamba emphasized that the transition is a necessary paradigm shift. "The Competency Based Education represents a paradigm shift from memorisation to mastery, from instruction to innovation," he stated. The directive urges universities to adopt experiential learning and ensure their training is in sync with the evolving national educational structure.

Urgency and Preparedness

The government's call to action comes amid growing concerns about the readiness of higher education institutions for the CBC transition. For years, stakeholders have warned that universities were ill-prepared for the new curriculum. A 2024 study highlighted that most universities had not yet started training teachers for CBC delivery and lacked the necessary infrastructure and materials. The Commission for University Education (CUE) has also stressed the urgent need for budgetary allocations to support this transition effectively.

In response, some institutions have begun to take proactive steps. The University of Nairobi is reported to have started training its staff, creating a team of "CBET champions" to spearhead the implementation. Similarly, KCA University has launched a dedicated teachers' college to train its faculty on CBC principles. Egerton University and Meru University of Science and Technology have also initiated curriculum review workshops and training sessions in collaboration with the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD). These efforts are seen as crucial in addressing what KCA University's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Isaiah Wakindiki, described as a lack of skills among many lecturers to facilitate the new system effectively.

System-Wide Reforms and Challenges

The shift to CBE in universities is part of a broader national education reform. The government is also working to harmonize the pathways between Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions and universities. This aims to break down the "artificial divide between technical and academic training," allowing for seamless credit transfers and joint programs. This integration is intended to ensure that practical skills and academic knowledge are mutually reinforcing.

However, the implementation of CBC at all levels has faced significant challenges, including financial constraints, inadequate infrastructure, and the need for continuous professional development for teachers. Research indicates that many lecturers hold negative perceptions of CBC and are resistant to changing their pedagogical practices. Overcoming this resistance through comprehensive sensitization and training is considered essential for the successful rollout of the curriculum in universities.

The Ministry of Education has officially rebranded the system from CBC to Competency-Based Education (CBE) to underscore its focus on practical skills and outcomes relevant to the 21st-century economy. As part of this, the government has allocated KSh 980 million to retrain high school teachers, a move that precedes the expected changes at the university level. The success of these reforms hinges on the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders, including the government, universities, faculty, and students, to ensure graduates are equipped with market-relevant skills.