The Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) in Kenya focuses on equipping learners with knowledge, skills,

values, and attitudes necessary for their personal development and the country’s socio-economic growth.
Below is a detailed breakdown:

Overview of CBC Structure

Early Years Education: Pre-primary (PP1 & PP2) and Lower Primary (Grade 1–3).
Middle School Education: Upper Primary (Grade 4–6) and Junior Secondary School (Grade 7–9).
Senior Secondary School: (Grade 10–12): A specialization stage where learners select pathways based on their
abilities, interests, and career aspirations.
Tertiary and Higher Education: Includes TVETs, universities, and other specialized institutions.
Pathways in Senior Secondary (Grade 10–12)

From 2026, Senior Secondary Schools (SSS) will offer three main pathways. Each learner will specialize based
on their competencies, interests, and career goals.

Roles of Parents in Mentorship and Career Guidance of Learners...

• Providing information on career opportunities available to their children

• Providing information on adapted career opportunities available for leaners with special needs and
disabilities

• Understanding the learner’s abilities and interests in order to provide the required guidance

• Detecting any early learning and behavioral related manifestations in the child and make timely
corrective interventions

1) STEM Pathway (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)

  Subjects
Mathematics
Physics
Chemistry
Biology
Computer Science
Aviation Technology
Geospatial Technology
 Possible Careers:
Engineers (civil, mechanical, software)
Doctors, Pharmacists, and Biotechnologists
IT Specialists, Data Scientists, and Programmers
Researchers in various fields of science

2) Arts and Sports Science Pathway

 Subjects
Music
Fine Art
Performing Arts (Theatre, Dance)
Media Studies
Physical Education and Sports
Creative Writing
 Possible Careers:
Artists, Actors, and Musicians
Media Personnel (Journalists, Directors, Producers)
Athletes, Coaches, and Sports Managers
Writers, Poets, and Film Producers

3) Social Sciences Pathway

 Subjects
History
 Geography
Business Studies
Religious Studies (CRE/IRE)
Sociology and Philosophy
Languages (English, Kiswahili, and Foreign Languages)
 Possible Careers:
Lawyers, Economists, and Politicians
Sociologists, Anthropologists, and Historians
Teachers and Professors in Social Sciences
Diplomats and Public Administrators
New School Naming System for Senior Secondary from 2026
To accommodate the specialization pathways, schools will be renamed based on their focus areas:

STEM Schools: Focused on science, engineering, and technology subjects.

Example: light STEM Academy.

Arts and Sports Schools: Specializing in creative arts and physical education.
Example: Tumaini Arts and Sports Centre.

Social Sciences Schools: Concentrating on humanities, business, and social studies.

Example: kongoni Social Sciences High School.

Comprehensive Schools: Offering a mix of all three pathways if the institution has the capacity.
Example: State Comprehensive High School.

How Schools Will Transition to Senior Secondary

Existing secondary schools will adapt to these pathways depending on their resources, teachers, and
infrastructure.

Government support and partnerships with stakeholders will ensure schools are equipped to offer specialized
facilities like labs, studios, and sports amenities.

Different Career Pathways a Student Can Pursue

Discover a range of career pathways that align with your unique strengths and interests. Our guidance helps
you navigate diverse professional options, ensuring you find a path that resonates with your passions and
skills.

Arts and Sport Science Pathway

Sports Science

 Sports Coach

 Physiotherapist

 Sports Nutritionist

 Sports Massage Therapist

 Personal Trainer

 Fitness Program Coordinator

 Gym Attendant

Visual Arts

 Visual Artist

 Illustrator

 Graphic Designer
  Sculptor

 Painter

 Art Director

 Art Teacher

Performing Arts

 Acting

 Musician

 Dancer

 Elocutionist

 Theatre Director

 Choreographer

 Musical Performer

Social Science Pathway

Languages

 Translator

 Interpreter

 Writer

 Editor

 Language Teacher

 Journalist

 Copywriter

Humanities

 Historian

 Archaeologist

 Philosopher

 Anthropologist

 Ethicist

 Sociologist

 Legal Researcher
Business Studies

 Entrepreneur

 Accountant

 Financial Analyst

 Business Manager

 Marketing Specialist

 Human Resources Manager

 Business Analyst

STEM Pathway

Pure Sciences

 Science researcher

 Scientist

 Mathematician

 Physicist

 Chemist

 Biologist

 Environmentalist

Applied Sciences

 Agricultural Scientist

 Actuarial Scientist

 Agricultural Engineer

 Computer Engineer

 Food Scientist

 Technologist

 Geoscientist

Engineering

 Technician

 Technologist

 Tradesman
  Craftsperson

 Industrial Worker

 Machinist

 Metallurgist

Career and Technology Studies

 Software Developer

 Web Developer

 Data Scientist

 Cybersecurity Analyst

 Network Administrator

 Systems Analyst

 User Experience (UX) Designer

Discover Your sons/daughters Based on their Natural Strengths

Understanding how different career paths align with core intelligences can help
individuals pinpoint where they are most likely to excel. By exploring the connection
between Howard Gardner's multiple intelligences and various professions, you can find a
career that resonates with your natural abilities and passions.

Sports Science
Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence: Involves physical activity, coordination, and understanding of the
human body.
Logical-Mathematical Intelligence: Needed for understanding physiology and statistical analysis
in sports.

Visual Arts
Spatial Intelligence: Critical for visualizing and creating art, understanding design, and working
with visual media.
Intrapersonal Intelligence: Helps in expressing personal emotions, thoughts, and experiences
through art.

Performing Arts
Musical Intelligence: Essential for rhythm, melody, and musical performance in arts like singing,
playing instruments, and dance.
Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence: Important for physical expression through acting, dancing, and
movement.
Interpersonal Intelligence: Necessary for collaboration and connecting with an audience.

Languages
Linguistic Intelligence: Fundamental for understanding, using, and appreciating language in both
spoken and written forms.
Intrapersonal Intelligence: Useful for understanding and conveying complex thoughts, emotions,
and ideas.

Humanities
Linguistic Intelligence: Important for analyzing texts, writing essays, and communicating ideas in
subjects like history, philosophy, and literature.
Interpersonal Intelligence: Needed for understanding historical contexts, cultural perspectives,
and human behavior.
Existential Intelligence: Engages with deep philosophical questions about existence, morality, and
the human condition.

Business Studies
Logical-Mathematical Intelligence: Essential for financial analysis, problem-solving, and strategic
planning.
Interpersonal Intelligence: Important for managing teams, understanding consumer behavior, and
negotiating deals.

Pure Sciences
Logical-Mathematical Intelligence: Crucial for understanding scientific principles, conducting
experiments, and analyzing data.
Naturalistic Intelligence: Often involved in subjects like biology, chemistry, and environmental
science, where understanding natural systems is key.

Applied Sciences
Logical-Mathematical Intelligence: Important for applying scientific knowledge to practical
problems.
Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence: Useful in fields like health sciences, where hands-on skills are
necessary.
Naturalistic Intelligence: Important in areas like agriculture, veterinary science, or environmental
technology.

Engineering
Logical-Mathematical Intelligence: Essential for problem-solving, designing systems, and
understanding complex concepts.
Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence: Helpful in fields like mechanical engineering or robotics, where
hands-on skills are necessary.

Career and Technology Studies

Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence: Important for hands-on learning and practical skills in technology
and trades.
Logical-Mathematical Intelligence: Necessary for understanding technical processes,
troubleshooting, and problem-solving
• Mentorship and career guidance in schools explores the ways in which support for learners can be used
as a dynamic collaborative process for effective career choice.

• Through mentorship and career guidance, teachers, parents and other resource persons are
responsible in one way or the other in impacting the education, career pathway and lives of the
learners.

• Career guidance needs to move towards encouraging career management rather than providing one-
off testing and advice to learners.