In a sharply worded statement, the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops expressed deep concern over what they described as widespread confusion, high costs and inadequate preparation surrounding the rollout of CBC.
The bishops argued that while education reforms are necessary, the current implementation has placed an unfair burden on families and exposed systemic gaps that must be addressed without delay.
The clergy pointed to mounting complaints from parents struggling to keep up with the financial demands associated with CBC, including the purchase of learning materials and support for practical-based assignments.
According to the bishops, many households already grappling with a tough economic environment are being pushed to the brink.
Teachers, too, have not been spared. The bishops noted that educators under the Teachers Service Commission have raised concerns about insufficient training and unclear guidelines, leaving them ill-equipped to effectively deliver the new curriculum.
This, they warned, ultimately compromises the quality of education being offered to learners.
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At the center of the bishops’ demands is a call for the Ministry of Education to urgently review and streamline CBC implementation.
They are pushing for a more inclusive approach that involves parents, teachers, and key stakeholders in decision-making processes, arguing that meaningful reform cannot succeed without broad consultation.
The bishops also questioned the preparedness of infrastructure in schools, particularly in rural areas, where limited resources make it difficult to support the hands-on learning model that CBC requires.
Without addressing these disparities, they cautioned, the system risks deepening inequality in access to quality education.
Despite their criticism, the bishops reaffirmed their support for education reforms aimed at improving learning outcomes.
However, they insisted that such reforms must be practical, affordable, and sensitive to the realities facing Kenyan families.
Their statement now piles pressure on the government, which has consistently defended CBC as a progressive shift designed to equip learners with practical skills and competencies.
Education officials have previously maintained that challenges experienced during the transition are expected and are being addressed.
As debate intensifies, the bishops’ intervention is likely to reignite national conversation around CBC, potentially forcing policymakers to reconsider aspects of its implementation.
For now, parents, teachers, and learners remain caught in the middle of a system undergoing one of the most significant transformations in Kenya’s education history.
