Pre-Primary Education
PP1–PP2
CBC SCHOOL MANAGEMENT FOR KENYAN SCHOOLS
CBC School Management System in Kenya
Learn how Kenya’s Competency-Based Curriculum works and discover how Kisoma helps schools manage CBC assessments, grading, learner records, academic performance, and report cards in one school management platform.
CBC IN KENYA
What Is the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) in Kenya?
Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) in Kenya is a learner-centred approach that focuses on what learners can understand, apply, and demonstrate through knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values. It uses evidence of learning to guide learner progress and places greater emphasis on practical application rather than relying only on recall or a final examination.
CBC refers primarily to the curriculum, while Competency-Based Education (CBE) describes the broader approach to curriculum, teaching, assessment, and learner development in Kenya. KICD publishes CBC and CBE curriculum materials and guidance. View official KICD CBC and CBE materials .
CBC EDUCATION LEVELS
How Is CBC Structured in Kenya?
Kenya’s Competency-Based Curriculum is organized across Pre-Primary, Primary, Junior School, and Senior School. The grades below show the national CBC education structure.
Primary School
Grade 1–6
Junior School
Grade 7–9
Senior School
Grade 10–12
CBC CORE COMPETENCIES
What Are the Seven Core Competencies in CBC in Kenya?
Kenya’s Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) identifies seven core competencies that learners develop across different learning areas and educational levels. These competencies focus on applying knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values in learning and everyday life.
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01
Communication and Collaboration
Expressing ideas clearly, listening to others and working effectively with people.
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02
Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
Examining information, making reasoned decisions and finding workable solutions.
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03
Creativity and Imagination
Generating, exploring and applying original ideas in different situations.
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04
Citizenship
Participating responsibly in society and respecting people, values and the environment.
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05
Digital Literacy
Using digital tools and information safely, responsibly and effectively.
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06
Learning to Learn
Reflecting on learning, adapting strategies and becoming a more independent learner.
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07
Self-Efficacy
Developing confidence in one’s ability to act, learn and complete tasks.
CBC LEARNING AREAS
What Are Learning Areas in CBC in Kenya?
Learning areas in Kenya’s Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) are organized fields through which learners develop knowledge, skills, values, and competencies. A learning area serves a role similar to a subject while placing emphasis on learning experiences, outcomes, and competency development.
How Do CBC Learning Areas Differ by Grade?
CBC learning areas vary by educational level and grade. Schools should use the current KICD curriculum design for the relevant learning stage and grade.
How Are CBC Learning Areas Assessed?
Teachers collect evidence of learner progress against intended learning outcomes using appropriate assessment methods. Assessment and reporting approaches depend on the learning area, educational level, and applicable guidance.
Where Can Schools Find Official CBC Learning Areas?
KICD’s curriculum design library provides the official curriculum designs for the different learning levels and grades in Kenya.
CBC ASSESSMENT IN KENYA
How Does CBC Assessment Work in Kenya?
Assessment in Kenya’s Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) gathers evidence of what a learner knows, understands, and can demonstrate. CBC assessment can take place continuously in the classroom, through school-based activities, or through summative and national assessments at the relevant educational stage.
Continuous Assessment in CBC
Teachers may gather evidence of learner progress through observations, oral work, written tasks, practical activities, projects, and tests where appropriate to the learning outcome.
CBC Assessment Criteria and Feedback
Assessment criteria and rubrics can help teachers evaluate learner performance consistently and provide feedback that supports continued learning and development.
Summative Assessment in CBC
Summative assessment brings evidence of learner performance together at a defined point. National assessments follow KNEC requirements for the relevant educational stage.
Does CBC Have Exams in Kenya?
Yes. CBC includes exams and other forms of assessment. Tests and examinations can be used to collect evidence of learning, alongside other assessment methods such as projects, practical activities, observations, portfolios, and oral tasks where appropriate.
What Is the Difference Between CBC Exams and Assessment?
Assessment is the broader process of collecting and interpreting evidence of learner progress. An exam or test is one possible assessment method and does not represent the entire CBC assessment process.
What Is School-Based Assessment (SBA) in Kenya?
School-Based Assessment (SBA) is assessment conducted within the school context under applicable KNEC guidance. It provides evidence of learner performance and may contribute to progression or national reporting depending on the educational stage.
Assessment weightings are not universal across CBC. Under current KJSEA regulations, the final assessment combines the KJSEA summative score (60%), Grades 7–8 School-Based Assessment (20%), and KPSEA (20%).
What Is KJSEA in Kenya?
KJSEA is the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment taken at the end of Grade 9. It marks the transition from Junior School to Senior School. KNEC reports performance across nine subjects using performance levels from EE1 through BE2.
KNEC also calculates separate strength indicators for STEM, Arts and Sports Science, and Social Sciences pathways.
CBC & KJSEA GRADING IN KENYA
How Does the CBC and KJSEA Grading System Work in Kenya?
KJSEA uses an 8-point performance scale that reports each subject from EE1 (8 points) to BE2 (1 point). The scale is organized under four performance levels: Exceeding Expectation, Meeting Expectation, Approaching Expectation, and Below Expectation.
| KJSEA Level | Points | Score Range | Performance Level | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EE1 | 8 | 90–100 | Exceeding Expectation | Highest band within Exceeding Expectation |
| EE2 | 7 | 75–89 | Exceeding Expectation | Second band within Exceeding Expectation |
| ME1 | 6 | 58–74 | Meeting Expectation | Higher band within Meeting Expectation |
| ME2 | 5 | 41–57 | Meeting Expectation | Second band within Meeting Expectation |
| AE1 | 4 | 31–40 | Approaching Expectation | Higher band within Approaching Expectation |
| AE2 | 3 | 21–30 | Approaching Expectation | Second band within Approaching Expectation |
| BE1 | 2 | 11–20 | Below Expectation | Higher band within Below Expectation |
| BE2 | 1 | 0–10 | Below Expectation | Lowest reporting band |
The percentage ranges shown above are specific to the current KJSEA grading regulations. They should not be treated as a universal percentage-to-performance-level conversion for every CBC grade, classroom assessment, or learning area.
Exceeding Expectation
EE1 8 points
EE2 7 points
Meeting Expectation
ME1 6 points
ME2 5 points
Approaching Expectation
AE1 4 points
AE2 3 points
Below Expectation
BE1 2 points
BE2 1 points
CBC ASSESSMENT RUBRICS
What Is a CBC Assessment Rubric?
A CBC assessment rubric describes the criteria used to assess learner performance and the different levels at which those criteria may be demonstrated. Rubrics can help teachers assess learning consistently, provide focused feedback, and make expectations clearer to learners. A rubric does not mean that every CBC assessment uses the KJSEA 8-point performance scale.
Example of a CBC Assessment Rubric: The oral presentation rubric below is an illustrative example only and is not an official KICD rubric.
| Assessment Criterion | Exceeding | Meeting | Approaching | Below |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clarity | Ideas are consistently clear | Main ideas are clear | Some ideas need clarification | Ideas are difficult to follow |
| Understanding | Explains ideas with relevant detail | Shows sound understanding | Shows partial understanding | Needs support to explain ideas |
| Communication | Engages the audience confidently | Communicates appropriately | Communication is uneven | Needs support to communicate |
What Is the Difference Between a CBC Rubric and a Grade?
A CBC assessment rubric describes the criteria used to evaluate learner performance, while a grade or performance level summarizes the learner’s assessed outcome.
Why Are Rubrics Used in CBC Assessment?
Rubrics make assessment expectations clearer, help teachers examine specific evidence of learning, and provide learners with more focused feedback than a summary grade alone.
Does Kisoma Support CBC Assessment Rubrics?
Kisoma currently records marks, percentages, grade labels, points, and assessment outcomes. It does not currently offer structured criterion-level rubric authoring.
CBC REPORT CARDS & LEARNER PERFORMANCE
How Is Learner Performance Reported in CBC in Kenya?
CBC learner reporting communicates the evidence gathered about a learner’s academic progress and performance. Depending on the assessment context, reporting may include learning-area or subject outcomes, performance levels, teacher feedback, and competency information where applicable.
CBC School Report Cards
Schools prepare CBC report cards from their assessment records and configured grading information. Report formats and school-level reporting practices may vary according to the applicable guidance.
Official KNEC Assessment Results
KNEC issues official results for national assessments. A school-generated CBC report card is an internal school report and does not replace official KNEC assessment results.
Understanding CBC Learner Performance
Effective CBC reporting should make learning outcomes, assessment evidence, performance levels, and areas for improvement clear and easy to understand.
CBC TERMS & DEFINITIONS
CBC Terms and Meanings in Kenya
Understand common terms used in Kenya’s Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), assessment, grading, and learner reporting.
- CBC
- Competency-Based Curriculum: the widely used name for Kenya’s curriculum approach centred on demonstrated competencies.
- CBE
- Competency-Based Education: the broader framework within which competency-based curriculum, teaching and assessment operate.
- Competency
- The ability to apply appropriate knowledge, skills, attitudes and values to perform a task or respond to a situation.
- Learning Area
- An organized field of learning through which learners develop knowledge, skills, values and competencies.
- Learning Outcome
- What a learner is expected to know, understand or demonstrate after learning.
- Assessment
- The process of collecting and interpreting evidence about learner progress and achievement.
- School-Based Assessment
- Assessment conducted within the school context under applicable KNEC guidance.
- Rubric
- A guide that sets assessment criteria and describes levels of performance.
- Performance Level
- A reported category that summarizes the standard demonstrated by a learner.
- EE
- Exceeding Expectation. In KJSEA reporting, EE1 and EE2 are its two bands.
- ME
- Meeting Expectation. In KJSEA reporting, ME1 and ME2 are its two bands.
- AE
- Approaching Expectation. In KJSEA reporting, AE1 and AE2 are its two bands.
- BE
- Below Expectation. In KJSEA reporting, BE1 and BE2 are its two bands.
- KJSEA
- Kenya Junior School Education Assessment, taken at the end of Junior School.
- KICD
- Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development, the authority for curriculum designs and materials.
- KNEC
- Kenya National Examinations Council, the authority for national assessment administration and reporting.
CBC SCHOOL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Manage CBC Academics With Kisoma
Kisoma is a CBC school management system built for Kenyan schools, bringing learner records, subjects and learning areas, assessments, grading, and school reporting into one connected platform.
Kisoma supports school management from PP1 through Grade 9, helping schools organize their CBC academic workflows while complementing official KICD curriculum materials and KNEC assessment systems.
KISOMA CBC SCHOOL MANAGEMENT FEATURES
CBC School Management Features in Kisoma
Kisoma brings together key CBC academic management tools for Kenyan schools, including learner records, subjects and learning areas, assessments, grading, results, and school reporting.
Learning Area / Subject Setup
Connect subjects or learning areas to classes, academic periods, teachers and compulsory or elective types.
Assessment & Exam Management
Create examinations, define subject assessment schedules and manage the school assessment workflow.
Marks & Result Entry
Enter or import learner marks and keep score, out-of value and percentage together.
Grades & Points
Apply configurable percentage ranges, grade labels and points, including Kisoma’s supplied CBC defaults.
Learner Reports
Publish results and generate printable individual or bulk learner result reports.
Academic Terms
Associate examinations and results with the correct session year and term or semester.
Learner Performance Records
Review subject outcomes, totals, overall grades, points, ranks and performance distributions.
Role-Based Workflows
Give authorized class and subject teachers access to assigned examinations and results.
KISOMA CBC PRODUCT VIEWS
See How Kisoma Supports CBC School Management
Explore key Kisoma workflows for CBC results, grading, learner reporting, and academic setup.
KISOMA CBC FEATURE
CBC Results Entry
Record learner marks, score values, and calculated results.
KISOMA CBC FEATURE
CBC Grading & Performance
Manage configured grade ranges, labels, points, and performance results.
KISOMA CBC FEATURE
CBC Learner Reports
Generate printable learner reports with subject and overall result information.
KISOMA CBC FEATURE
Subjects & Learning Areas Setup
Manage class, subject, teacher, and academic-period relationships.
CBC ACADEMIC MANAGEMENT WORKFLOW
Manage CBC Academics From Setup to Learner Reports
Kisoma connects key academic processes in one workflow, helping schools organize subjects and learning areas, assessments, grading, results, and learner reporting.
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01
Set up learning areas
Connect subjects or learning areas to classes, teachers and academic periods.
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02
Create assessments
Define examinations and subject assessment schedules.
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03
Record results
Enter or import marks for each learner and subject.
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04
Apply configured grading
Calculate percentages and assign the school’s configured labels and points.
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05
Publish reports
Review outcomes, publish authorized results and produce learner reports.
OFFICIAL CBC RESOURCES IN KENYA
Official KICD and KNEC CBC Resources
For official information about Kenya’s Competency-Based Curriculum, use KICD resources for curriculum designs and learning materials, and KNEC resources for national assessment, KJSEA, scoring, and reporting guidance.
KICD CBC & CBE Materials
Official CBC and CBE curriculum resources from KICD
KICD CBC Curriculum Designs
Official curriculum designs organized by learning stage and grade
KNEC KJSEA Regulations
Official KJSEA administration, assessment, scoring, and reporting guidance
KNEC KPSEA & KJSEA Assessment Guide
Official guidance for KPSEA and KJSEA assessment processes
Kisoma is a school management platform and is not an official KICD, KNEC, or Government of Kenya website.
KISOMA SCHOOL MANAGEMENT MODULES
Explore Connected School Management Features
Connect CBC academic management with student records, examinations, learner reports, timetables, terms, and academic years in Kisoma.
CBC QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Frequently Asked Questions About CBC in Kenya
Find answers to common questions about Kenya’s Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), including assessment, grading, KJSEA, learner reporting, and CBC school management.
What is CBC in Kenya?
Competency-Based Curriculum, increasingly discussed within the broader Competency-Based Education framework, focuses on what learners can understand, apply and demonstrate through knowledge, skills, attitudes and values.
Does CBC have exams?
Yes. Exams and tests can be used alongside classroom activities, projects, observations, school-based assessment and national or summative assessment at relevant stages.
What is KJSEA?
KJSEA is the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment taken at the end of Grade 9. KNEC reports subject performance using the EE1-to-BE2 levels and determines pathway-strength indicators.
What does EE1 mean in CBC?
In KNEC’s KJSEA scale, EE1 means Exceeding Expectation, carries 8 points and is the highest band.
What does EE2 mean in CBC?
In KNEC’s KJSEA scale, EE2 means Exceeding Expectation, carries 7 points and is the second band in that performance level.
What do ME1 and ME2 mean?
Both mean Meeting Expectation in KJSEA reporting. ME1 carries 6 points and ME2 carries 5 points.
What do AE1 and AE2 mean?
Both mean Approaching Expectation in KJSEA reporting. AE1 carries 4 points and AE2 carries 3 points.
What do BE1 and BE2 mean?
Both mean Below Expectation in KJSEA reporting. BE1 carries 2 points and BE2 carries 1 point, the lowest band.
How many points is ME2?
ME2 carries 5 points in KNEC’s KJSEA subject performance scale.
Can CBC points be added together?
Not for a KJSEA aggregate. KNEC states that the nine KJSEA subjects are not combined into an aggregate value or points; subject achievement and pathway strengths are reported separately.
What is school-based assessment?
School-Based Assessment is conducted in the school context under applicable guidance. For KJSEA specifically, current regulations assign Grade 7 and 8 SBA a 20% contribution.
What is the difference between a rubric and a grade?
A rubric describes the criteria used to judge performance, while a grade or performance level summarizes the assessed outcome.
Does Kisoma support CBC rubrics?
Not as a structured rubric builder. Kisoma supports marks, percentages, configured grade ranges, labels, points and performance outcomes, but not criterion-level rubric authoring.
Which grades does Kisoma currently support?
Kisoma’s current public CBC scope is PP1 through Grade 9. This page does not claim current Kisoma Senior School support.
Does Kisoma replace KICD or KNEC systems?
No. Kisoma manages school academic workflows. KICD remains the curriculum authority and KNEC remains the national assessment authority.
Can Kisoma generate CBC learner report cards?
Yes. Authorized users can generate printable learner reports showing subject scores, percentages, configured grades, points and overall performance information.
CBC SCHOOL MANAGEMENT WITH KISOMA
Ready to Simplify CBC School Management?
Manage learner records, CBC assessments, grading, results, and school reporting in one connected Kisoma platform.