Matiang’i argued that the challenges currently facing Kenya’s education system are not a result of flaws in the CBC model itself but stem from poor planning, weak execution, and political interference by the current government.
Speaking on Monday, January 26, 2026, during an interview on a local radio station, the former Education CS said the Ruto administration had failed to build on the groundwork laid by previous governments, instead introducing confusion that has undermined the rollout of the curriculum.
“The education system has no problem. The problem is implementation,” Matiang’i said.
“When our brothers and sisters came into government, they brought confusion into the system and are now blaming the model, yet the failure is squarely in how they are implementing it.”
Matiang’i, who oversaw key phases of the CBC transition during his tenure, maintained that the curriculum was carefully designed to move Kenya away from exam-oriented learning towards skills development, creativity, and problem-solving, in line with the country’s long-term development goals.
He noted that the shift to CBC was anchored in Kenya’s Vision 2030 blueprint and was intended to equip learners with practical competencies needed in a modern economy.
Matiang’i, who oversaw key phases of the CBC transition during his tenure, maintained that the curriculum was carefully designed to move Kenya away from exam-oriented learning towards skills development, creativity, and problem-solving, in line with the country’s long-term development goals.
He noted that the shift to CBC was anchored in Kenya’s Vision 2030 blueprint and was intended to equip learners with practical competencies needed in a modern economy.
According to Matiang’i, abandoning or politicising the curriculum risks reversing years of planning and stakeholder engagement.
“The problem we are seeing today is because education has been politicised,” he said.
“The problem we are seeing today is because education has been politicised,” he said.
“Instead of understanding CBC and strengthening its implementation, leaders are turning it into a political debate, and learners are the ones paying the price.”
Transition challenges
Matiang’i’s remarks come amid mounting concerns over the transition of learners from junior secondary to senior secondary school under CBC.
Transition challenges
Matiang’i’s remarks come amid mounting concerns over the transition of learners from junior secondary to senior secondary school under CBC.
The government was recently forced to extend the Grade 10 transition deadline after a significant number of learners failed to report to senior secondary schools.
Education ministry data shows that about 85 per cent of eligible learners have so far transitioned from Grade 9 to Grade 10, leaving roughly 15 per cent yet to enrol.
Education ministry data shows that about 85 per cent of eligible learners have so far transitioned from Grade 9 to Grade 10, leaving roughly 15 per cent yet to enrol.
Earlier figures had placed the transition rate as low as 75 per cent, triggering nationwide mop-up exercises to track learners who dropped out or failed to secure placement.
Parents, teachers, and education stakeholders have raised concerns over inadequate infrastructure, overcrowding in senior secondary schools, teacher shortages, and confusion surrounding subject selection under the new system.
Matiang’i said these challenges could have been avoided through better planning, adequate funding, and clear communication with schools and parents.
“You cannot roll out a major reform like CBC without preparing teachers, schools, and communities. That preparation has been lacking, and that is where the failure lies,” he said.
Call for day schools
The former CS also renewed his call for increased investment in public day secondary schools as a way of reducing education costs and improving access.
Parents, teachers, and education stakeholders have raised concerns over inadequate infrastructure, overcrowding in senior secondary schools, teacher shortages, and confusion surrounding subject selection under the new system.
Matiang’i said these challenges could have been avoided through better planning, adequate funding, and clear communication with schools and parents.
“You cannot roll out a major reform like CBC without preparing teachers, schools, and communities. That preparation has been lacking, and that is where the failure lies,” he said.
Call for day schools
The former CS also renewed his call for increased investment in public day secondary schools as a way of reducing education costs and improving access.
He argued that learners should be encouraged to attend secondary schools closer to home before seeking opportunities further afield at college and university level.
“Day schools make education affordable and accessible,” Matiang’i said.
“Day schools make education affordable and accessible,” Matiang’i said.
“Students can learn within their communities at secondary level and later integrate nationally when they join colleges and universities.”
0 Comments