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Reflections on Kenya’s New Competency Based Curriculum (CBC): A Setback to Education Equity or a Panacea for Inequity?

In 2017, Kenya unveiled the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) under the 2-6-3-3 education system, replacing the 32-year-old content-based 8-4-4 system of education. The implications of the new curriculum have been discussed broadly. Anecdotal and empirical evidence indicates that the curriculum poses various challenges and various constraints are impeding its implementation. Beyond these initial challenges, proponents of CBC promise to address the long-standing problem of education equity and equality. Using secondary literature as well as illustrations from other countries, the speaker reflects on the constraints and potential of CBC in addressing education access and equity.