Schools preparing for senior school under the Competency-Based Curriculum have been issued with a clear framework on the textbooks and guides to be used in Grade 10, following the release of an approved list by the Ministry of Education.
The list, prepared through the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development, provides direction on learning resources allowed in classrooms as the CBC moves into a new phase.
The approval notice, released on Tuesday, December 23, confirms curriculum support materials that meet required standards for senior school learners. It also outlines how learning at this level will be organised, with Grade 10 learners expected to undertake seven learning areas that combine compulsory subjects with selected options.
All senior school learners will take four core subjects, namely English, Kiswahili, Core Mathematics, and Community Service Learning. Beyond these, learners will choose three additional subjects guided by their interests, abilities, aptitude, and future career plans, with teachers playing a key role in the selection process.
Senior school learning under CBC is organised around three career pathways, which are Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, Social Sciences, and Arts and Sports Science. Each pathway has specific curriculum support materials approved for classroom use.
Under the Arts and Sports Science pathway, learners studying Music and Dance are required to use Hummingbird Music and Dance, Mentor Music and Dance, KLB Excellent Music and Dance, Moran Music and Dance, and Distinction Music and Dance.
Those taking Theatre and Film must use Doritex Film and Theatre and Distinction Theatre and Film. Learners studying Fine Arts under Hummingbird Fine Arts are required to use Front Row Fine Arts and Mentor Fine Arts. For Sports Science, approved materials include Mountain Sports Science, Top Sports and Recreation, and Booklyst Master Sports and Recreation.
In the Social Sciences pathway, approved English materials include English Moran, KLB Excellent English, Storymoja English, Hummingbird English, Oxford English, and Highland English. Kiswahili learners are required to use Moran Kiswahili Cha Mwanafunzi, Oxford Kiswahili Fasaha, Mentor Kiswahili Kitabu cha Mwanafunzi, Longhorn Chemchemi za Kiswahili, One Planet Mbiu ya Kiswahili, and Hummingbird Kiswahili Kitabu cha Mwanafunzi.
Learners taking History must use Oxford Evolving World History, Magical History, and the Citizenship Learner’s book. Geography learners are required to have Oxford Active Geography Learner’s Book, Longhorn Comprehensive Geography, and KLB Excelling Geography.
For Business Studies, the approved books are Mentor Business Studies, Oxford Active Business Studies, Spotlight Business Studies, and Master Business Studies.
For the STEM pathway, learners taking computer studies are required to use Modern Technology Computer Studies and Oxford Active Computer Studies. Mathematics learners must have Mentor Mathematics, Spotlight Core Mathematics, Longhorn Advancing in Core Mathematics, KLB Excellent Core Mathematics, Mentor General Mathematics, and Spotlight Essential Mathematics.
Biology learners are required to use Spotlight Biology, Triumph Biology, Oxford Biology Today, Magic Biology, Master Biology, or Mentor Biology. Students studying Building and Construction must use Master Building and Construction, Distinction Building and Construction, and Excellent Building and Construction.
The Ministry of Education has placed responsibility on teachers in senior schools to select learning materials strictly from the approved list. Teachers are required to use both learner textbooks and teacher guides and ensure that teaching and assessment methods follow CBC principles.
According to the ministry, learners completing senior school should be able to express themselves clearly and apply information and communication technology in different environments.
They are also expected to use mathematical, logical, and critical thinking skills to address challenges and apply basic research and scientific skills to solve problems.
By the end of senior school, learners should be able to develop and apply their talents for leisure, personal satisfaction, career advancement, and further education and training, in line with the aims of the Competency-Based Curriculum.
