CBE ROLL-OUT 2026: GOVERNMENT FINALIZES PLANS FOR COMPETENCY-BASED EDUCATION TRANSITIONS

SCHOOL HEADS CONVERGE FOR 48TH ANNUAL KESSHA CBE ROLL-OUT 2026 CONFERENCE IN MOMBASA

The ministry of education has announced that it is in the final stages of preparing for the CBE ROLL-OUT 2026 of competency-based education (cbe) at senior school level.
Speaking during the 48th annual conference of secondary school heads in Mombasa, education cabinet secretary Julius Ogamba lauded school leaders for their role in driving education reforms and urged them to step up readiness as the country moves toward a 2026 launch.

At the 48th annual Kenya secondary school heads association (kessha) conference held at sheikh zayed hall in mombasa. Education cabinet secretary Julius ogamba outlined the government’s preparedness in transitioning to senior school under the competency-based education system.

“Our objective is to align all stakeholders with the ongoing transition to senior school under CBE. We want to ensure the implementation is well supported through sound policies, adequate financing, and strong institutional frameworks,” Julius noted.

The CS noted that CBE has already been rolled out in over 39,000 primary schools and nearly 27,000 junior secondary schools countrywide adding that the focus now shifts to ensuring a seamless transition to senior school from January 2026.

“The future of Kenya depends on what happens in our classrooms today. You, as heads of schools, are the torchbearers of transformation,” CS Ogamba stated.

Ogamba praised head teachers for their commitment, saying their dedication has been key to the successful implementation of the reforms thus far. He also highlighted ongoing collaboration with the teacher’s service commission, KICD, and other stakeholders to ensure infrastructure, staffing and learning materials are in place.

“We are not only academic leaders but also caregivers, innovators, and administrators. To meet these demands, we need stronger support systems,” said Julius

He encouraged principals to make timely infrastructural adjustments and provide adequate guidance to learners in choosing pathways under the new curriculum. Further acknowledging delays in capitation funding, but reassured the conference that the government remains committed to fully funding free day secondary education, revealing that sh22 billion had already been disbursed, with sh11.6 billion going to secondary schools.

The conference, themed “embracing pathways in senior school education”, brought together school heads, education experts, and policymakers from across the country to reflect on the reforms championed by the presidential working party on education reform and to strategize for the future of education in kenya.

We must act decisively to transition schools toward cleaner, cost-effective, and healthier energy sources. It is not only a sustainability issue; it’s a matter of health, cost efficiency, and climate responsibility,” he said.