The Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) is a new education system that was introduced in Kenya in 2017. It aims to replace the 8-4-4 system that has been in place since 1985. The CBC is designed to equip learners with the skills and competencies that are relevant to the 21st century. It focuses on developing the learners’ talents, interests, values, and abilities through a learner-centered approach. The CBC has six levels: Early Years Education (EYE), Lower Primary, Upper Primary, Lower Secondary, Senior Secondary and Tertiary/University.
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The 8-4-4 system is the old education system that was based on the British model. It consisted of eight years of primary education, four years of secondary education, and four years of university education. The 8-4-4 system was criticized for being too rigid, exam-oriented, and irrelevant to the needs of the society and the economy. It emphasized on memorization and rote learning rather than critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
The main differences between the CBC and the 8-4-4 system are:
- The CBC is competency-based while the 8-4-4 system is content-based. This means that the CBC focuses on what the learners can do with what they have learned, while the 8-4-4 system focuses on what the learners have learned.
- The CBC is learner-centered while the 8-4-4 system is teacher-centered. This means that the CBC allows the learners to explore their interests and talents, while the 8-4-4 system follows a fixed curriculum and syllabus.
- The CBC is flexible while the 8-4-4 system is rigid. This means that the CBC allows for continuous assessment and feedback, while the 8-4-4 system relies on summative exams at the end of each level.
- The CBC is holistic while the 8-4-4 system is fragmented. This means that the CBC integrates academic, social, emotional, and physical aspects of learning, while the 8-4-4 system separates them into different subjects and disciplines.