KICD rolls out Values-based Education to build ethical learners under CBC reforms

KICD director and Chief Executive Officer Mr. Charles Were(left), Head of Directorate of special needs education in the Ministry of Education Fredrick haga together with other stakeholders pose during the launch of Values- Based Education (VbE) programme at KICD in Nairobi on April 02, 2026

Kenya institute of curriculum development (KICD) has launched a nationwide Values-Based Education (VbE) programme targeting millions of learners in basic education, following a pilot implemented in 79 schools across 19 counties that reached more than 3,000 learners and tested how national values can be integrated into everyday learning.

The initiative, rolled in partnership with Mzizi Elimu Afrika, is designed to embed values such as integrity, responsibility, unity, respect and patriotism within classroom teaching, school leadership and student engagement as part of reforms under the Competency-Based Curriculum.

Speaking during the launch ,Head of the Directorate of Special Needs Education at the Ministry of Education Fredrick Haga, who represented the Principal Secretary said the programme marks a critical shift in how the country approaches education.

“What we are doing today might appear like a very small step, but believe you me, this is a giant step for this country,” he said.

He emphasised that education must focus on shaping responsible citizens and not just producing academically successful learners.

“Educating a child to have the desired values requires collective effort. It is not just the teachers, it is not just the ministry or institutions, it is all of us working together to shape the citizen we want,” he said.

The national rollout follows a pilot programme carried out across eight education regions, where educators tested practical ways of integrating values into everyday school activities including classroom teaching, leadership roles and co-curricular programmes.

Also speaking, director of the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development Charles Were said the programme is grounded in research and evidence gathered from schools before being scaled nationally.

“Basically what we are doing today is launching a national rollout of values based education after conducting studies in different schools, to ensure what we do is grounded on research,” he said.

Were stressed that curriculum development must be evidence-driven to ensure programmes introduced in schools have measurable impact.

According to KICD, the programme adopts what educators describe as a whole-school approach, where values are not only taught as concepts but practiced through school culture, student leadership and community engagement.

Education stakeholders say the programme will now be expanded nationwide through teacher training, curriculum materials and community involvement, with the goal of ensuring that learners across the country grow into ethically grounded and socially responsible citizens.