Introduction
Following the rationalization of the curriculum at the start of 2024, the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) made further updates, which we describe here as the 2025 changes. Across the four main levels of basic education – Pre-School, Lower Primary, Upper Primary and Junior School, we see a common pattern in the changes. There seems to be a greater focus on digital literacy, sustainability, competency-based learning, and global citizenship, to better equip learners with the skills necessary for the modern world.
This article provides an overview of the 2025 curriculum changes across the four basic education levels, their implications for educators, and the necessary steps for effective implementation.
Key Changes Across the Education Levels
1. Integration of Digital Literacy and Technology
One of the most significant updates is the incorporation of digital literacy across all learning areas, rather than treating it as a standalone subject.
- Pre-Primary (PP1 & PP2): Digital storytelling, gamified quizzes, and multimedia activities have been introduced to enhance engagement in Mathematics, Language, and Creative Activities.
- Lower Primary (Grades 1-3): Digital numeracy tools, multimedia storytelling, and technology-driven Religious Education are now part of the curriculum.
- Upper Primary (Grades 4-6): Digital literacy has been embedded in English, Kiswahili, Creative Arts, and Social Studies. Students will also engage in online research, multimedia projects, and digital faith resources.
- Junior School (Grades 7-8): The use of digital tools in Mathematics, Science, and Entrepreneurship has expanded, along with digital storytelling and ethical discussions in Religious Education.
2. Stronger Emphasis on Competency-Based and Experiential Learning
The 2025 changes further promote experiential and project-based learning more explicitly, to ensure students acquire practical skills.
- Pre-Primary: Interactive learning, role-playing, and conservation projects are emphasized.
- Lower Primary: Hands-on sustainability projects, STEM-based problem-solving, and implicit grammar learning have been introduced.
- Upper Primary: Project-based assessments replace memory-based evaluations, and Mathematics now includes financial literacy.
- Junior School: Career readiness through digital entrepreneurship, coding, and industry-based projects has been strengthened.
3. Emphasis on Sustainability and Environmental Awareness
Sustainability is now integrated into all learning areas, ensuring students develop an awareness of environmental responsibility from an early age.
- Pre-Primary: Activities such as waste management and conservation projects are incorporated into Environmental Activities.
- Lower Primary: Environmental tracking tools and sustainability themes are embedded in learning areas.
- Upper Primary: Climate resilience is included in Agriculture, while Mathematics integrates economic sustainability.
- Junior School: Integrated Science now focuses on renewable energy and environmental technologies.
4. Strengthening Global Citizenship and Ethical Awareness
The 2025 changes seek to develop well-rounded individuals capable of thriving in a globalized world.
- Language subjects (English, Kiswahili, French, and Arabic): Now emphasize cultural exchange, communication skills, and media literacy.
- Social Studies: Expands its scope to cover global governance, civic responsibility, and international awareness.
- Religious Education: Ethical debates, community-based projects, and digital faith discussions are now part of the learning process.
Implications for Educators and Schools
With these significant changes, educators and school administrators must adapt their teaching methodologies, assessment techniques, and classroom activities. Key areas of focus include:
- Adopting Digital Teaching Methods: Teachers should integrate digital storytelling, multimedia projects, and online assessments into their lessons.
- Facilitating Experiential Learning: Project-based education should replace rote memorization, ensuring students engage in hands-on problem-solving.
- Enhancing Sustainability Education: Schools must implement conservation programs and include environmental stewardship in various subjects.
- Encouraging Global and Ethical Discussions: Teachers should use case studies, debates, and digital tools to foster discussions on global citizenship and ethics.
- Updating Assessment Strategies: Schools need to transition from traditional exams to competency-based evaluations, including peer collaboration, self-assessments, and real-world application tests.
Specific Analysis Per-Level
Follow these links to read about the changes at each level:
