Former KNUT Chairman Wilson Sossion has theorised that the confusion surrounding the Competence-Based Education (CBE) system is rooted in how the curriculum was implemented and the level of preparedness among teachers.
Speaking in a televised interview on Tuesday, January 6, 2025, Sossion said the transition from the 8-4-4 system to CBE left learners, parents, and teachers struggling to adapt.
While CBE is a high-order form of education that demands significant investment in resources, including smaller class sizes, trained teachers, technology, and proper infrastructure, Sossion explained that continuous systematic review and ongoing reporting are necessary to reduce confusion concerning the transition to Grade 10 and ensure improved outcomes for CBE learners.
“From the introduction of the CBE system, I had strong reservations regarding how the system was rolled out,” Sossion recollected, adding that he foresaw “a lot of confusion and a lot of disorder.”
The legislator went on to state that studies he spearheaded indicated that Kenya had not adequately prepared its teaching workforce for the new system.
Additionally, the curriculum was imposed on teachers despite concerns, locking confusion into the system.
“A curriculum is as good as the preparation of teachers,” Sossion said, noting that teacher training remains a major weakness to date.
Drawing comparisons with Finland, Sossion highlighted that teachers there must hold a Master’s degree before teaching under a competence-based system.
He warned that continuing to push CBE without rethinking teacher training would deepen confusion across schools.
“If we, as a country, continue pushing CBE on learners, it is important to reconsider the training of teachers and the type of teachers,” he declared.
As a way forward, Sossion called for continuous review of CBE, stronger monitoring, public access to implementation reports for Grades 7 to 9, and greater involvement of universities in research, evaluation, and quality assurance.
The former KNUT leader’s remarks come at a time when parents and the new Grade 10 entrants face systemic challenges that are compounded by the confusion they are facing in navigating the new education system.
