Competency Based Education: An Critical Analysis

Welcome back to Elimu Café!
In this final episode of our CBC series, we take a step back from structures and stages and look at the bigger picture: What does CBC reveal about Kenya’s broader neoliberal approach to education, and how has this shaped the system we have today?
We explore:
-How CBC mirrors global neoliberal reforms
-The shifting roles of parents, teachers, and the state
-The rising cost of education and the burden placed on households
-How performance, choice, pathways, and skills-based learning fit into a market-driven agenda
-The unintended consequences on equity, access, and the learner’s experience

This episode isn’t just for educators : it’s for parents, policymakers, school leaders, researchers, and anyone trying to understand the deeper forces shaping our education system. It invites us to question, reflect, and imagine what a more equitable approach could look like.

At Elimu Café, we explore everything in a child’s world (0–18 years): childcare, curriculums, parenting, health, nutrition, law, policy, and emerging issues shaping how children grow and thrive.
Watch, share, and subscribe as we close this series and prepare for new conversations that challenge and inspire.
Comment below: What do you think Kenya must confront if we want a fairer, more inclusive education system?