If you're a parent in Homa Bay, Kisumu, Migori or Kisii trying to make sense of Kenya's Competency Based Curriculum, you're not alone. CBC replaced the old exam-heavy 8-4-4 system with something designed to measure what a learner can actually do, not just what they can recall on the day of a test. Here's what that means in practice at Sikri Academy.

Learners at Sikri Academy engaging in CBC learning

What "Competency Based" Actually Means

Rather than rewarding memorisation, CBC is built around competencies: critical thinking, creativity, communication, collaboration, and practical problem-solving. From Playgroup through Grade 9, our teachers design lessons that ask learners to apply knowledge, not just recite it — blending local relevance with global standards so learners are equipped for an ever-changing world.

How Learners Are Assessed

CBC assessment happens continuously, not just in a single sitting exam. That includes School-Based Assessment (SBA) — ongoing practicals and projects marked throughout the term — alongside the national assessments that mark the end of each schooling phase: KPSEA at the end of primary school, and KJSEA (Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment) at the end of Grade 9.

Results are reported against four competency bands, not a simple pass/fail: Exceeding Expectation, Meeting Expectation, Approaching Expectation, and Below Expectation. Our most recent Grade 9 cohort sat their KJSEA with 36% of learners Exceeding Expectation and a further 55% Meeting Expectation — a strong spread across the top two bands.

What to Look For in a CBC School

  • Teachers trained specifically in CBC delivery, not just the old curriculum with new terminology
  • Small enough class sizes that continuous assessment is actually meaningful, not a formality
  • A genuine co-curricular programme — CBC assumes learning happens beyond the classroom too
  • Clear communication with parents about how a child is progressing against each competency band, not just at exam time
  • A pathway into junior secondary that prepares learners for KJSEA without narrowing everything down to test practice

How Sikri Approaches It

Our Junior Secondary programme builds on this foundation with what we call Purposeful Pathways — career guidance, leadership opportunities, and applied learning that prepares Grade 7-9 learners for both their KJSEA assessment and for senior school beyond it. It's the same philosophy that runs through the whole school: competence built through practice, not just for a single exam day.

Questions to Bring to a School Visit

If you're comparing CBC schools across Nyanza, ask to see actual SBA records, not just a prospectus. Ask how often you'll hear from your child's teacher between Assessment Books. And ask what happens for a learner who's Approaching Expectation rather than Meeting it — the answer tells you a lot about how seriously a school takes the "competency" half of CBC.