Kenya's curriculum, first called CBC (Competency Based Curriculum), is now called CBE (Competency Based Education). It replaced the old 8-4-4 system. The focus is on what children can do (skills and values), not just what they can remember for an exam.
The school levels
| Level | Grades | Usual age | Assessment at the end |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-primary | PP1 and PP2 | 4–5 | — |
| Lower primary | Grades 1–3 | 6–8 | — |
| Upper primary | Grades 4–6 | 9–11 | KPSEA (Grade 6) |
| Junior school | Grades 7–9 | 12–14 | KJSEA (Grade 9) |
| Senior school | Grades 10–12 | 15–17 | National exam (Grade 12) |
Junior school is mostly hosted in primary schools (comprehensive schools). Learners move to a senior school for Grades 10 to 12.
Performance levels instead of marks
Teachers describe how a learner is doing with levels rather than just marks:
- EE: Exceeding Expectations
- ME: Meeting Expectations
- AE: Approaching Expectations
- BE: Below Expectations
Junior school assessment uses a more detailed 8-level version (EE1 and EE2, ME1 and ME2, and so on), worth 8 points down to 1. Our grade calculator shows how scores turn into levels.
Senior school pathways
In senior school, learners follow one of three pathways, chosen with the help of their junior school results, interests and talents:
- STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics)
- Social Sciences (languages, humanities, business)
- Arts and Sports Science
Each pathway has subject combinations offered by different schools.
How you can help
- Look at your child's assessment book or report each term, not just the levels: teachers' comments say what to work on.
- Support projects and practical work at home with simple materials. You don't need to buy expensive items.
- Talk to the class teacher early if your child is at AE or BE in a learning area.
- See how to help your child with school work at home.