NAIROBI, Kenya- Is Kenya on the brink of a textbook crisis? Not according to the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD).
In a statement designed to quell public fears, KICD has assured stakeholders that all learning materials for Pre-Primary 1 (PP1) to Grade 9 will be available as planned.
The announcement comes as schools prepare for the new academic year under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
KICD clarified that textbooks for all grades are either already distributed to schools or easily accessible in the market. This includes materials for the majority of grades, which have undergone a thorough rationalization process to align with the updated curriculum.
However, a slight delay has been acknowledged for specific learning areas in Grades 7 and 8, including Agriculture, Creative Arts & Sports, and Pre-Technical Studies.
These textbooks, updated in December 2024 following curriculum revisions, are expected to reach schools and markets by February 2025. Until then, KICD confirmed that interim materials remain sufficient to cover all necessary content.
For instance, books on Visual Arts, Physical Education, and Performing Arts continue to support Creative Arts & Sports, while Agriculture and Home Science materials address Agriculture studies.
The delay in these specific textbooks is tied to the rationalization process sparked by the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms (PWPER) report, released in August 2023.
The comprehensive updates to curriculum designs, completed in December 2024, required publishers to make corresponding adjustments to textbooks.
Despite this slight setback, KICD emphasized that materials for other grades—including PP1 to Grade 3, Upper Primary, and Grade 9—are already available. The institute reiterated its commitment to delivering high-quality learning resources on time.
“There is no textbook crisis now or in 2025,” KICD declared, urging educators, parents, and stakeholders to remain confident. The Competency-Based Curriculum is marching forward, and the institute is working closely with publishers to ensure no learner is left behind.
As schools brace for the upcoming term, KICD’s proactive measures and transparent communication aim to maintain trust and efficiency in the education sector.
