How CBC is organized from pre-primary to senior secondary plus core subjects offered

Learners carrying out CBA practical activity

The Kenyan Competency based Curriculum was designed by Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (2017) and has 5 levels which are: 

  1. Pre-primary Education (2 Years) i.e. Pre-Primary 1 and Pre-Primary 2 commonly known as PP1 and PP2. 
  2. Lower Primary  (Grade 1 to Grade 3) and is expected to run for 3 years
  3. Upper Primary (Grade 4 to Grade 6) and is expected to run for 3 years
  4. Lower Secondary (Grade 7 to Grade 9) and is expected to run for 3 years 
  5. Senior School (Grade10 to Grade 12) and is expected to run for 3 years.

Most Kenyans are not conversant with the subjects learners are expected to learn at various levels. Hence we set out to summarize the subjects for them to enable them guide and prepare learners adequately for the academic task ahead. 

SUBJECTS FOR PRE-PRIMARY (TWO YEARS)

  1. Language Activities 
  2. Mathematical Activities 
  3. Environmental Activities  
  4. Psychomotor and Creative Activities 
  5. Religious Education Activities  

NB: Digital literacy and pertinent and contemporary issues will be integrated across all Subjects.

SUBJECTS FOR LOWER PRIMARY: GRADE 1 TO GRADE 3 (THREE YEARS)

  1. Literacy
  2. Kiswahili Language Activities/Kenya Sign Language for learners who are deaf 
  3. English Language Activities 
  4. Indigenous Language Activities 
  5. Mathematical Activities 
  6. Environmental Activities 
  7. Hygiene and Nutrition Activities 
  8. Religious Education Activities 
  9. Movement and Creative Activities 

NB: 

  • ICT will be a learning tool in all areas. 
  • Pertinent and contemporary issues will be mainstreamed in all Subjects.

SUBJECTS FOR UPPER PRIMARY: GRADE 4 – GRADE 6 (THREE YEARS)

  1. English 
  2. Kiswahili or Kenya Sign Language (for learners who are deaf) 
  3. Home Science 
  4. Agriculture 
  5. Science and Technology 
  6. Mathematics 
  7. Religious Education (CRE/IRE/HRE) 
  8. Creative Arts 
  9. Physical and Health Education 
  10. Social Studies 

Optional: 

  • Foreign Languages (Arabic, French, German, Mandarin) 

NB:

  • ICT will be cross cutting in all subjects. 
    • Pertinent and contemporary issues and life skills will be mainstreamed in all Subjects.
    • A pastoral program of instruction will be conducted once a week.

SUBJECTS FOR LOWER SECONDARY: GRADES 7 – GRADE 9 (THREE YEARS)

Core Subjects                                                                                                                   

  1. English   
  2. Kiswahili or Kenyan Sign Language for learners who are deaf         
  3. Mathematics       
  4. Integrated Science            
  5. Health Education               
  6. Pre-Technical and Pre-Career Education                  
  7. Social Studies      
  8. Religious Education – learners choose one of the following:            
    1. Christian Religious Education 
    1. Islamic Religious Education 
    1. Hindu Religious Education
  9. Business Studies 1
  10. Agriculture 
  11. Life Skills Education 
  12. Sports and Physical Education

Optional Subjects (Minimum 1, Maximum 2)

  1. Visual Arts  
  2. Performing Arts  
  3. Home Science  
  4. Computer Science  
  5. Foreign Languages:  
    1. German  
    1. French  
    1. Mandarin  
    1. Arabic  
    1. Indigenous Languages
    1. Kenyan Sign Language  

NB: ICT will be a delivery tool for all Subjects

SUBJECTS FOR SENIOR SCHOOL GRADES 10 – GRADE 12 (THREE YEARS)

Subjects for Senior School are based on various pathways




Pathways after Lower Secondary

Core Subjects for all Students in Senior School

  1. Community Service Learning
  2. Physical Education

1. Arts and Sports Science Pathway

a. The Arts Track
Core subjects

(i) Legal and Ethical issues in Arts 

(ii) Communication Skills

Optional Subjects 
The learner will be required to take one of the following subjects:

i. Performing Arts

(i) Music

(ii) Dance

(iii) Theatre and Elocution

ii Visual and Applied Arts

(i) Fine Art

(ii) Applied Art

(iii) Time Based Media

(iv) Crafts

b. Sports Science Track 

Core subjects

(i) Human Physiology, Anatomy and Nutrition

(ii) Sports Ethics

Optional Subjects (Minimum 1, Maximum 2)

i.  Ball Games  

ii.  Athletics  

iii. Indoor Games  

iv. Gymnastics  

v. Water Sports

vi. Boxing  

vii. Martial Arts

 viii. Outdoor Pursuits  

ix. Advanced Physical Education

2. The Social Sciences Pathway (Comprises of three tracks, learner to choose a minimum of 3 subjects and a maximum of 5 subjects)

a. Humanities
(i) History and Citizenship
(ii) Geography
(iii) Christian Religious Education
(iv) Islamic Religious Education
(v) Hindu Religious Education

b. Languages
(i) English Language
(ii) Literature in English
(iii) Lugha ya Kiswahili
(iv) Fasihi ya Kiswahili
(v) Kenyan Sign Language
(vi) Indigenous Languages
(vii) Arabic
(viii) French
(ix) German
(x) Mandarin

c. Business Studies
(i) Business studies
(ii) Mathematics

3. The Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Pathway (Comprises of 4 Career Tracks)

a. Pure Sciences Track
b. Applied Sciences Track
c. Technical and Engineering Track
d. Career and Technology Studies (CTS) Track

Core subjects

(i) Community Service
(ii) Physical Education
(iii) ICT

Optional Subjects (Select 1 Subject)

i. Agriculture  ii. Computer Science  iii. Foods and Nutrition iv. Home Management  

Optional Subjects (Minimum 3 Subjects):  

i. Mathematics 

ii. Physics 

iii. Chemistry 

iv. Biology

Optional Subjects (select one subject)  Optional Subjects

  1. Agricultural Technology                 (select one subject)
  2. Geosciences Technology  i. Garment iii. Marine and Fisheries Technology Making and

iv. Aviation Technology       Interior Design  v.          Wood Technology            ii.         Leather Work  vi.       Electrical Technology      iii.         Culinary Arts  vii.           Metal Technology            iv.         Hair Dressing

viii. Power Mechanics             and Beauty ix.   Clothing Technology       Therapy 

x.     Construction Technology              v.          Plumbing and xi.         Media Technology           Ceramics

  • Electronics Technology                 vi.         Welding and
  • Manufacturing Technology         Fabrication  xiv.            Mechatronic       vii.        Tourism and

                                                                                                                                                                                                  Travel

viii.      Air Conditioning and

Refrigeration  ix. Animal Keeping x. Exterior Design and Landscaping

                                                                                                                                                                                     xi.      Building

Construction  xii.          Photography 

                                                                                                                                                                                   xiii.      Graphic

Designing and

Animation xiv.           Food and

Beverage  xv.          Motor Vehicle

Mechanics  xvi.           Carpentry and

Joinery  xvii.            Fire Fighting viii.            Metalwork  xix.            Electricity

  • Land Surveying 
  • Science

Laboratory

Technology xxii.            Electronics  xiii.            Printing

Technology  xiv.           Crop Production

                                                              


How CBC is organized from pre-primary to senior secondary plus core subjects offered

Learners carrying out CBA practical activity

The Kenyan Competency based Curriculum was designed by Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (2017) and has 5 levels which are: 

  1. Pre-primary Education (2 Years) i.e. Pre-Primary 1 and Pre-Primary 2 commonly known as PP1 and PP2. 
  2. Lower Primary  (Grade 1 to Grade 3) and is expected to run for 3 years
  3. Upper Primary (Grade 4 to Grade 6) and is expected to run for 3 years
  4. Lower Secondary (Grade 7 to Grade 9) and is expected to run for 3 years 
  5. Senior School (Grade10 to Grade 12) and is expected to run for 3 years.

Most Kenyans are not conversant with the subjects learners are expected to learn at various levels. Hence we set out to summarize the subjects for them to enable them guide and prepare learners adequately for the academic task ahead. 

SUBJECTS FOR PRE-PRIMARY (TWO YEARS)

  1. Language Activities 
  2. Mathematical Activities 
  3. Environmental Activities  
  4. Psychomotor and Creative Activities 
  5. Religious Education Activities  

NB: Digital literacy and pertinent and contemporary issues will be integrated across all Subjects.

SUBJECTS FOR LOWER PRIMARY: GRADE 1 TO GRADE 3 (THREE YEARS)

  1. Literacy
  2. Kiswahili Language Activities/Kenya Sign Language for learners who are deaf 
  3. English Language Activities 
  4. Indigenous Language Activities 
  5. Mathematical Activities 
  6. Environmental Activities 
  7. Hygiene and Nutrition Activities 
  8. Religious Education Activities 
  9. Movement and Creative Activities 

NB: 

  • ICT will be a learning tool in all areas. 
  • Pertinent and contemporary issues will be mainstreamed in all Subjects.

SUBJECTS FOR UPPER PRIMARY: GRADE 4 – GRADE 6 (THREE YEARS)

  1. English 
  2. Kiswahili or Kenya Sign Language (for learners who are deaf) 
  3. Home Science 
  4. Agriculture 
  5. Science and Technology 
  6. Mathematics 
  7. Religious Education (CRE/IRE/HRE) 
  8. Creative Arts 
  9. Physical and Health Education 
  10. Social Studies 

Optional: 

  • Foreign Languages (Arabic, French, German, Mandarin) 

NB:

  • ICT will be cross cutting in all subjects. 
    • Pertinent and contemporary issues and life skills will be mainstreamed in all Subjects.
    • A pastoral program of instruction will be conducted once a week.

SUBJECTS FOR LOWER SECONDARY: GRADES 7 – GRADE 9 (THREE YEARS)

Core Subjects                                                                                                                   

  1. English   
  2. Kiswahili or Kenyan Sign Language for learners who are deaf         
  3. Mathematics       
  4. Integrated Science            
  5. Health Education               
  6. Pre-Technical and Pre-Career Education                  
  7. Social Studies      
  8. Religious Education – learners choose one of the following:            
    1. Christian Religious Education 
    1. Islamic Religious Education 
    1. Hindu Religious Education
  9. Business Studies 1
  10. Agriculture 
  11. Life Skills Education 
  12. Sports and Physical Education

Optional Subjects (Minimum 1, Maximum 2)

  1. Visual Arts  
  2. Performing Arts  
  3. Home Science  
  4. Computer Science  
  5. Foreign Languages:  
    1. German  
    1. French  
    1. Mandarin  
    1. Arabic  
    1. Indigenous Languages
    1. Kenyan Sign Language  

NB: ICT will be a delivery tool for all Subjects

SUBJECTS FOR SENIOR SCHOOL GRADES 10 – GRADE 12 (THREE YEARS)

Subjects for Senior School are based on various pathways




Pathways after Lower Secondary

Core Subjects for all Students in Senior School

  1. Community Service Learning
  2. Physical Education

1. Arts and Sports Science Pathway

a. The Arts Track
Core subjects

(i) Legal and Ethical issues in Arts 

(ii) Communication Skills

Optional Subjects 
The learner will be required to take one of the following subjects:

i. Performing Arts

(i) Music

(ii) Dance

(iii) Theatre and Elocution

ii Visual and Applied Arts

(i) Fine Art

(ii) Applied Art

(iii) Time Based Media

(iv) Crafts

b. Sports Science Track 

Core subjects

(i) Human Physiology, Anatomy and Nutrition

(ii) Sports Ethics

Optional Subjects (Minimum 1, Maximum 2)

i.  Ball Games  

ii.  Athletics  

iii. Indoor Games  

iv. Gymnastics  

v. Water Sports

vi. Boxing  

vii. Martial Arts

 viii. Outdoor Pursuits  

ix. Advanced Physical Education

2. The Social Sciences Pathway (Comprises of three tracks, learner to choose a minimum of 3 subjects and a maximum of 5 subjects)

a. Humanities
(i) History and Citizenship
(ii) Geography
(iii) Christian Religious Education
(iv) Islamic Religious Education
(v) Hindu Religious Education

b. Languages
(i) English Language
(ii) Literature in English
(iii) Lugha ya Kiswahili
(iv) Fasihi ya Kiswahili
(v) Kenyan Sign Language
(vi) Indigenous Languages
(vii) Arabic
(viii) French
(ix) German
(x) Mandarin

c. Business Studies
(i) Business studies
(ii) Mathematics

3. The Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Pathway (Comprises of 4 Career Tracks)

a. Pure Sciences Track
b. Applied Sciences Track
c. Technical and Engineering Track
d. Career and Technology Studies (CTS) Track

Core subjects

(i) Community Service
(ii) Physical Education
(iii) ICT

Optional Subjects (Select 1 Subject)

i. Agriculture  ii. Computer Science  iii. Foods and Nutrition iv. Home Management  

Optional Subjects (Minimum 3 Subjects):  

i. Mathematics 

ii. Physics 

iii. Chemistry 

iv. Biology

Optional Subjects (select one subject)  Optional Subjects

  1. Agricultural Technology                 (select one subject)
  2. Geosciences Technology  i. Garment iii. Marine and Fisheries Technology Making and

iv. Aviation Technology       Interior Design  v.          Wood Technology            ii.         Leather Work  vi.       Electrical Technology      iii.         Culinary Arts  vii.           Metal Technology            iv.         Hair Dressing

viii. Power Mechanics             and Beauty ix.   Clothing Technology       Therapy 

x.     Construction Technology              v.          Plumbing and xi.         Media Technology           Ceramics

  • Electronics Technology                 vi.         Welding and
  • Manufacturing Technology         Fabrication  xiv.            Mechatronic       vii.        Tourism and

                                                                                                                                                                                                  Travel

viii.      Air Conditioning and

Refrigeration  ix. Animal Keeping x. Exterior Design and Landscaping

                                                                                                                                                                                     xi.      Building

Construction  xii.          Photography 

                                                                                                                                                                                   xiii.      Graphic

Designing and

Animation xiv.           Food and

Beverage  xv.          Motor Vehicle

Mechanics  xvi.           Carpentry and

Joinery  xvii.            Fire Fighting viii.            Metalwork  xix.            Electricity

  • Land Surveying 
  • Science

Laboratory

Technology xxii.            Electronics  xiii.            Printing

Technology  xiv.           Crop Production