12th-Feb-2026 | 2.5 mins read
It’s Time To Unlearn: CBE Is Not About National Schools
Many conversations with parents and even recent reporting in parts of the press reveal a persistent worry: a large number of parents still do not understand Competency-Based Education (CBE). Many are holding tightly to the old system of national schools, top grades, “competitive” placements, and the belief that prestige equals success. Yet the heart of CBE is fundamentally different.CBE is designed to nurture every learner’s potential, not to fit children into predetermined boxes. It requires learners, with the support of their parents and schools, to discover their interests, talents, and abilities; explore possible career pathways; choose a relevant pathway and cluster; and finally select a school that offers what aligns with their interests, talents and aspirations.
I was reminded of how far we still need to go during a recent parents’ session I attended. Many parents were still anchored in the familiar script of marks, medicine, law, engineering, IT, and national schools. At one point, a parent asked a school that her son attends; “How many students did you transition to national schools in Grade 10?” That question was a clear reminder of the urgent mindset shift we must embrace.
Parents, we must unlearn. Our children cannot carry the burden of fulfilling our dreams. They must be allowed to become who they are meant to be. And that begins by asking ourselves some honest, necessary questions: What is my role as a parent? What is the role of the school? What is the learner responsible for? What should the government provide? Understanding these roles is the foundation of unlearning, relearning, and learning how to genuinely support our children within CBE.
We also acknowledge that parents today are extremely busy trying to make ends meet. But even with that reality, one truth remains: children do not belong to the school. They belong to their parents. The school’s role is to teach and nurture. The deeper work of character development, values, emotional support, identity, guidance belongs to the parent.
In another session, a parent said, “We pay you, so it’s your duty to take care of my child even over the weekend.” Really? That is not the role of the school. Children need rest. They need time with family. They need to be mentored, guided, loved, and grounded at home. Schools teach; parents raise.
As Kenya moves deeper into CBE implementation, the success of our children will depend not on nostalgia for the past but on true partnership between parents and schools. We must shift from chasing grades to nurturing capability, from prestige to purpose, from pressure to partnership, and from our dreams to their journeys. Because when parents understand CBE, children will flourish.
Getting Qualified
The College of Career Guidance and Development (CCGD) is a registered training institution with established expertise in career guidance and development. CCGD is offering;
1. KNQA Level 6 Diploma in Career Guidance & Development (May Intake ongoing)
2. Capacity Building Training for teachers and education stakeholders: Career Guidance for CBE Senior School Pathways | 2-Week Teacher Training