Parents Embrace Competency-Based Education as Learners Show Critical Thinking Skills
As schools reopened for the third term, a quiet transformation could be seen among parents and guardians who were once skeptical of Kenya’s Competency-Based Education (CBE) system. What began as a source of doubt, frustration, and uncertainty is now being embraced as a game-changer in the country’s education sector.
Many parents say they have observed a refreshing shift in how their children approach learning. Learners are asking more questions, challenging assumptions, and showing curiosity that extends beyond the classroom. Education stakeholders note that, though still in its early stages, CBE is moulding children into independent thinkers, problem solvers, and innovators.
For Roselyn Wanjiku, a parent in Githurai, Nairobi, the initial transition from the 8-4-4 system to CBE was not easy. “When we were starting, there were a lot of difficulties. The kids would often come home with homework, and we were forced to buy or look for many items at short notice,” she recalled. “It was very challenging at first, but as time went by, we realised that our children were learning a lot and gaining knowledge. They have become very sharp problem-solvers.”
Her Grade 4 child, she says, has grown increasingly inquisitive, often pushing her as a parent to keep up with the critical thinking skills being developed in school. “Sometimes she asks questions that I don’t know how to answer. She even jokes about where I went to school when I cannot explain something,” Wanjiku said with a laugh.
Similar sentiments were echoed by Brian Ngugi, a parent from Maragwa Constituency in Murang’a County. He describes CBE as a refreshing shift from the 8-4-4 system that prioritized exams over practical skills.
“Under 8-4-4, we left school without real skills to fend for ourselves. With CBE, even my own child is already showing signs of being a reporter. The system does not create competition for marks; it nurtures talents and builds skills that match real-world careers,” Ngugi noted.
The ongoing back-to-school season has reignited conversations about the sharp contrast between the two systems. Unlike the exam-driven 8-4-4 framework, the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) emphasizes innovation, creativity, and adaptability. By equipping learners with practical skills and life values, it prepares them not only to excel academically but also to thrive in the dynamic global job market.
As parents and guardians adjust, many now believe that CBE is shaping a generation of learners who will redefine Kenya’s future.
By Sharon Atieno
