A recent Infotrak survey reveals that 45% of Kenyans are dissatisfied with the Competency-Based Curriculum's grading framework. Conducted across all 47 counties, the poll highlights regional disparities and broader implementation concerns.
An Infotrak national opinion poll conducted between December 2025 and January 2026 interviewed 1,000 adult Kenyans across all 47 counties, finding that 45% are dissatisfied with the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) grading system, while 38% are satisfied and 17% remain unsure. Regional variations underscore significant unease, with North Eastern Kenya showing the highest dissatisfaction at 80%, followed by the Coast at 55% and Eastern region at 50%. Nairobi and Nyanza also reported nearly half of respondents expressing concerns. The dissatisfaction appears even across genders but is more pronounced among those aged 46 and above, many of whom likely have school-going children. Broader issues with CBC implementation emerged, including high education costs cited by 39% of respondents and a lack of adequate information and guidance noted by 19%, which erodes public confidence. Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has defended the system, stating it identifies student strengths from Grade 10 onwards and focuses on specific competencies rather than rote memorization, while acknowledging transition challenges from Grade 9 to 10. President William Ruto has upheld CBC, dismissing placement criticisms as political and emphasizing merit-based selection. These findings coincide with ongoing Grade 10 transition complaints, where parents report well-performing children not receiving referral letters to preferred schools, while lower scorers secure better placements.