Kenya’s CBC education system comprises three structures: Early years education, Middle school education, and Senior school education. The new CBC Curriculum replaces the 8-4-4 system, which consisted of primary school education, secondary school education, and tertiary education. The CBC education system follows a 2-6-6-3 format.

Early Years Education

The CBC system describes early education to learners in pre-primary education and lower primary education. Pre-primary education takes up to 2 years of PP1 and PP2 followed by graduation to the next level. Lower primary education includes grade 1, grade 2, and grade 3, a total of three years. Graduation follows the completion of the level, ushering the learners into the next middle school.

Middle School Education

The CBC has sectioned the upper primary education and lower secondary education as the middle school. The lower primary education has grade 4, grade 5, and grade 6 covering three years and graduates them into the next level. Simultaneously, the lower secondary education consists of grade 7, grade 8, and grade 9, also three years, and then graduates to senior school.

Senior Education

Most learners in the senior education level are aged 15-17 years old. The class takes up to 3 years for grade 10, grade 11, and grade 12. At senior school, the learner already specializes in studies in line with their areas of interest or talent. The learners then graduate into higher education, such as university education, further their education and welcome them into work.

CBC Curriculum Subjects

The following is a list showing the level of education and curriculum subjects for various education levels.

Pre- Primary (4-5 years)

Subjects:

  • Curriculum PP1 & PP2
  1. Mathematical activities
  2. Language activities
  3. Environmental activities
  4. Language activities
  5. Hygiene and nutrition activities.

Lower Primary (6-8 years)

Subjects:

  • Curriculum Grade 1 – Grade 3
  1. Mathematical Activities
  2. Religious Education Activities
  3. Indigenous Language Activities
  4. Movement and Creative Activities
  5. English Language Activities
  6. Literacy
  7. Kiswahili Language Activities/Kenya Sign Language for learners who are deaf
  8. Hygiene and Nutrition Activities
  9. Environmental Activities
  10. Additional subjects- featuring between subjects ICT Life skills, pertinent and contemporary issues

Upper Primary (9-11 years)

Subject:

  • Middle school
  • Curriculum Grade 4 – Grade 6
  1. English
  2. Home Science
  3. Science and Technology
  4. Religious Education (CRE/IRE/HRE)
  5. Physical and Health Education
  6. Kiswahili or Kenya Sign Language (for learners who are deaf)
  7. Agriculture
  8. Mathematics
  9. Creative Arts
  10. Social Studies
  11. Optional: Foreign Languages (Arabic, French, German, Mandarin)
  12. Additional subjects- featuring between subjects
  • Pastoral program-once a week
  • Life skills
  • Pertinent
  • Contemporary issues
  • ICT

Lower Secondary (12-14 years)

Subjects:

  • Curriculum Grade 7 – Grade 9
  1. English
  2. Health Education
  3. Mathematics
  4. Social Studies
  5. Kiswahili or Kenyan Sign Language for learners who are deaf
  6. Integrated Science
  7. Pre-Technical and Career
  8. Home Science
  9. Science and Technology
  10. Religious Education (CRE/IRE/HRE)
  11. Physical and Health Education
  12. Agriculture
  13. Mathematics
  14. Creative Arts
  15. Optional: Foreign Languages (Arabic, French, German, Mandarin)
  16. Additional subjects- featuring between subjects
  • Pastoral program-once a week
  • Life skills
  • Pertinent
  • Contemporary issues
  • ICT