30,000 Kenyan Teachers Retool for Senior School CBE Transition

30,000 Kenyan Teachers Retool for Senior School CBE Transition

Over 30,000 teachers across Kenya are preparing for a major change. The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has announced a massive training program. It will run from December 1 to December 19, 2025. The goal is simple. These educators must be ready for the Senior School transition in January 2026.

This training matters because over 1.1 million Grade 9 learners will move to Senior School next year. They will follow the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system. Teachers need new skills to guide them. The training will cover all 55 learning areas. It will also focus on specialized CBE pathways.

Schools across Kenya are watching this closely. This is the final push to prepare teachers. Over 300,000 teachers have already received CBE training. Now it's time for the remaining 10 percent. Their success will shape the future of Kenyan education.

The Training Program: What Schools Need to Know

The TSC training targets 30,000 teachers from 9,626 schools. These include regular secondary schools, special needs schools, and vocational institutions. The training will happen face-to-face. Sessions will take place in selected county venues or procured locations.

Teachers will learn about all 55 learning areas in the new curriculum. They will also dive deep into specialized pathways. These pathways include Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). There's also Social Sciences. And Arts and Sports Science.

The training is mandatory for eligible teachers. Private school teachers have also been invited to participate. This ensures consistency across all schools. Every student deserves well-trained teachers, regardless of school type.

Special Training Arrangements

Some teachers need special arrangements. Teachers from arid and semi-arid areas will receive residential training. This makes sense. Travel can be difficult in these regions.

Special Needs Education (SNE) teachers get specialized training too. They will learn about Hearing Impairment and Visual Impairment approaches. The TSC plans to reach 428 SNE schools. They will also train teachers from 370 vocational SNE schools.

All teachers will be grouped by their subjects. They will also be grouped by their areas of specialization. This targeted approach ensures teachers learn exactly what they need.

Understanding the Senior School CBE Structure

The Senior School structure under CBE is clear. Every learner will take seven subjects. Four are compulsory. Three are optional. This structure comes from recommendations by the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms (PWPER).

The Four Compulsory Subjects

All Senior School students must take these subjects:

• English
• Kiswahili
• Core/Essential Mathematics
• Community Service Learning (CSL)

These subjects form the foundation. They ensure every student has strong basic skills. Community Service Learning is particularly important. It connects learning to real-world impact.

The Three Specialized Pathways

Students choose one of three pathways. The STEM pathway focuses on science and technology. The Social Sciences pathway explores society and human behavior. The Arts and Sports pathway celebrates creativity and physical excellence.

Each pathway opens different doors. Students can explore careers that match their interests. The pathways are designed to prepare learners for the real world. They develop practical skills alongside academic knowledge.

Optional Subjects for Every Pathway

Within their chosen pathway, students can select optional subjects. These include Music and Dance, Theatre and Film, and Business Studies. There are also traditional subjects like Geography, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.

Newer subjects include Aviation, Building Construction, and Media Technology. There's also Marine and Fisheries Technology. These subjects reflect Kenya's economic needs. They prepare students for modern careers.

How the Training Works: The Smart Cascade Model

The TSC uses a smart cascade model for training. This means expert trainers teach key teachers first. These teachers then share knowledge with others. The approach multiplies the training impact quickly.

Several organizations support this effort. The Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) provides curriculum expertise. The Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) explains assessment methods. The Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in Africa (CEMASTEA) supports STEM subjects.

The Ministry of Education coordinates the overall effort. The Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE) supports special needs training. Teachers Training Colleges also contribute their expertise. This collaboration ensures comprehensive training coverage.

Reuben Nthamburi leads this effort. He is the TSC Director for Teacher Professional Management. In a circular to educators, he confirmed the training details. He emphasized the face-to-face approach. This ensures teachers can ask questions and practice new methods.

Building on Previous Success

This December training is not the first CBE training. The TSC has been preparing teachers for years. Over 300,000 teachers have already received CBE retooling. This represents about 90 percent of eligible teachers.

The December program targets the remaining 10 percent. These are teachers who haven't undergone CBE training yet. Completing their training is crucial. It ensures no teacher is left behind.

TSC Chairperson Jamleck Muturi shared this progress recently. He spoke at the Kenya Primary School Heads Association (KEPSHA) conference in Mombasa. He confirmed that the final round of training is happening now. This comprehensive approach shows TSC's commitment to quality education.

Schools that have teachers in both groups benefit. Already trained teachers can support newly trained colleagues. This peer support strengthens the entire school's CBE implementation.

Supporting Infrastructure: Laboratories and Facilities

Teacher training is only part of the preparation. Schools also need proper facilities. President William Ruto has given clear instructions. The Ministry of Education must fast-track construction of 1,600 new laboratories.

These laboratories are especially important for remote schools. Many students in these schools have never used a laboratory. This creates a major disadvantage during exams. The President addressed this directly on November 18, 2025.

He said it's not right for students to see laboratories for the first time during exams. This emphasizes equity in education. Every student deserves access to quality facilities. The laboratory construction must happen before the January 2026 transition.

This infrastructure push complements the teacher training. Well-trained teachers need proper tools. Well-equipped laboratories need trained teachers. Both must work together for student success.

What This Means for Schools and Administrators

School administrators should pay close attention. This training affects your school's readiness. Teachers will return with new knowledge and skills. Your school must support their implementation efforts.

Here are key action steps for school leaders:

• Identify which teachers are attending the December training
• Plan how to integrate newly trained teachers with already trained staff
• Ensure your school has proper facilities for CBE pathways
• Create time for teachers to collaborate and share knowledge
• Review your curriculum delivery plans for January 2026
• Prepare students and parents for the Senior School transition

Technology can make this transition smoother. School management systems help track curriculum progress. They support assessment and reporting. They make it easier for teachers to manage their new responsibilities.

Schools should also communicate with parents. Parents need to understand the CBE pathways. They should know how their children's education is changing. Clear communication builds trust and support.

The Timeline Ahead

The timeline is clear. December 1–19, 2025 is the training period. January 2026 is when the transition happens. Schools have a short window to prepare.

Use this time wisely. Review your school's readiness. Check your facilities. Support your teachers. Prepare your students. The success of this transition depends on every school being ready.

The Bigger Picture: Preparing for 2029

This training connects to a longer timeline. The first cohort of CBE learners will complete Senior School in 2029. They will then enter universities under the Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET) system.

This means universities are also preparing. They need to be ready for students with different skills. Students will have more practical experience. They will have followed specialized pathways. Universities must adapt to this new preparation.

The December teacher training is one step in this journey. Every step matters. Well-trained teachers today mean better-prepared students tomorrow. Better-prepared students mean a stronger Kenya in the future.

Conclusion

The December training program is ambitious. Over 30,000 teachers from 9,626 schools will participate. They will learn about 55 learning areas. They will master specialized CBE pathways. This prepares them for 1.1 million Grade 9 learners transitioning in January 2026.

The TSC is committed to quality education. They've already trained over 300,000 teachers. Now they're finishing the job. Schools must do their part. Support your teachers. Prepare your facilities. Engage your community. Together, we can make this transition successful.

The future of Kenyan education depends on this preparation. Well-trained teachers create successful students. Successful students build a stronger nation. Let's ensure every teacher is ready. Let's ensure every student succeeds.

Are you a school administrator preparing for the Senior School CBE transition? Discover how EduPoa™ can streamline curriculum management, support teacher training implementation, and help your school deliver the new CBE pathways effectively. Our platform makes it easier to track student progress across all 55 learning areas and specialized pathways.

About EduPoa™: EduPoa™ is a comprehensive school management system designed for Kenya's CBE curriculum. We help schools manage the Senior School transition with tools for curriculum tracking, assessment management, and student pathway monitoring. Our platform supports all three CBE pathways (STEM, Social Sciences, Arts & Sports) and integrates seamlessly with the national education system. Whether you're tracking the 55 learning areas or managing specialized training, EduPoa™ makes CBE implementation simple and effective.