The government has acknowledged significant learning gaps under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), following the release of new assessment data by the Kenya National Examinations Council that paints a troubling picture of foundational literacy and numeracy among early grade learners.
According to the findings highlighted in the Wednesday, April 29 edition of the Daily Nation, nearly three out of four Grade Three learners in Kenya are unable to perform basic mathematics.
The report further reveals that more than half of the learners are struggling with basic English literacy, raising fresh concerns about the effectiveness of the CBC framework in delivering core competencies.
The data shows that only 26.8 percent of learners met expectations in foundational numeracy skills, while just 41.4 percent achieved the minimum benchmark in English literacy.
In marginalized areas, the situation is more severe, with only 21.4 percent of learners in refugee-hosting counties meeting required standards.
Education stakeholders have attributed the poor outcomes to a combination of systemic challenges, including teacher absenteeism, inadequate learning materials, and gaps in teacher preparedness for CBC delivery.
These issues, analysts argue, continue to undermine the intended learner-centered approach of the curriculum.
The government’s admission marks one of the clearest acknowledgments yet of structural weaknesses in CBC implementation since its rollout.
Officials now face mounting pressure to address disparities in resource allocation, particularly in underserved regions where performance indicators remain significantly below the national average.
Regional data further illustrates inequality in outcomes. Counties such as Turkana, West Pokot, and Isiolo recorded some of the lowest literacy and numeracy achievement levels, pointing to deeper socio-economic and infrastructural challenges affecting education access and quality.
The findings mirror earlier reports by civil society groups, which have consistently warned that without urgent intervention, the CBC system risks entrenching inequality rather than bridging it.