Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has defended the government’s education reforms, saying recent milestones demonstrate that the transformation of Kenya’s learning system is irreversible and on track for long-term impact.
Speaking during an address released over the weekend, Prof Kindiki cited significant gains made since 2022, particularly under the rollout of the Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET) framework, which has replaced the traditional 8-4-4 system.
At the heart of this overhaul is the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), whose implementation faced criticism early on but is now being restructured to enhance inclusivity, relevance, and affordability. A seamless transition to senior secondary school under the new framework is expected in January 2026.
“The education system is undergoing a fundamental shift, and this transformation is irreversible,” Prof Kindiki said. “We are preparing learners not just for exams but for life, industry, and global competitiveness.”
To support this ambitious curriculum transition, the government has invested heavily in infrastructure and human resources. Since 2022, over 23,000 new classrooms have been constructed nationwide—16,000 under the Ministry of Education and another 7,000 through the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF).
Teacher recruitment has also surged. A record 76,000 new primary and secondary school teachers have been hired since 2022, a massive jump from the previous annual average of 5,000. This reflects a deliberate strategy to meet the teacher-learner ratio required for effective CBC delivery.
Prof Kindiki further announced that an additional 24,000 teachers will be employed in December 2025, bringing the total number of new hires within three years to 100,000. This figure nearly equals a third of all teachers employed in the country between independence and 2022.
“These numbers demonstrate our commitment to the constitutional right of every child to quality basic education,” he added.
While budgetary pressures have raised concerns among stakeholders, Kindiki emphasized that the reforms are anchored in Kenya’s long-term vision and will not be derailed by short-term challenges.
Education experts agree that without adequate infrastructure and staffing, the CBC system would have failed. With continuous investment, the government hopes to sustain momentum and ensure all learners transition smoothly to the new system.
Stakeholders have urged the government to maintain this commitment even amid fiscal strain, warning that any backtracking could undo decades of educational progress.
