Seven thousand principals of secondary schools will be trained on the transition from junior to senior school at 50 centres from Thursday to Saturday.
The training will be conducted by officials from the Ministry of Education, Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec), Kenya Institute of Special Needs Education (KISE), and the Teacher Service Commission (TSC).
Senior school under the competency-based curriculum (CBC) will be rolled out in January 2026.
“Secondary school principals play key roles in the successful implementation of the curriculum. The implementation of the competency-based education (CBE) is in high gear with Grade 9 learners expected to transition to senior school in 2026,” reads a statement from the Centre of Mathematics Science and Technology Education in Africa.
The centre said there is a need to enhance the capacity of the principals to handle the transition successfully.
Education Cabinet secretary Julius Ogamba said before the National Assembly yesterday that 212,000 teachers are targeted for training and retooling before January 2026.
Even as the government rolls out the national programme, secondary school principals from the central region of Murang’a, Kiambu, Nyandarua, Nakuru, Machakos, Makueni, Tharaka Nithi and Laikipia counties have been in Mombasa since Monday for the crucial retooling.
The principals have invited senior education officials led by TSC director of staffing Antonina Lentoijoni to train them. She read a speech by TSC chief executive Nancy Macharia.
The TSC boss said the transition to senior school is a significant milestone, especially in introducing career pathways that align with learners’ aspirations and abilities.
“Your leadership as principals is instrumental in ensuring the success of this transition. You will be at the forefront of ensuring a seamless transition and effective implementation of the CBC in senior schools,” she told the principals.
The three pathways are science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), arts and sports science, and social sciences.
Senior schools will be categorised as either triple pathway schools, offering all three pathways, or dual pathway schools, offering STEM alongside social sciences or arts and sports science.
“As we prepare for the first cohort of Grade 10 learners in 2026, it is imperative to ensure we have the necessary facilities, well-trained teachers, and a supportive learning environment,” said Ms Macharia.
“The modern economy demands a workforce that is not only knowledgeable but also adaptable and capable of innovation. The shift to competency-based teaching is designed to ensure that learners are prepared for multiple post-secondary pathways.”
