Sifuna demands data on missing CBC cohort as Parliament probes Grade 10 dropouts
By Emmanuel Rono, June 5, 2026Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has demanded detailed data on what he termed a missing cohort of learners who enrolled in Grade 1 in 2017 but may not have transitioned through the education system as expected.
According to a statement by the Parliament of Kenya on Friday, June 5, 2026, Sifuna sought a statement from the Senate Standing Committee on Education regarding transition rates under the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC).
Sifuna noted that CBC, anchored on the Competency-Based Curriculum, was designed to move away from high-stakes national examinations and instead focus on continuous assessment and practical competencies aligned to Vision 2030 and the labour market.
“Sifuna noted that the CBC was introduced to equip learners with practical skills aligned to Kenya’s Vision 2030 and the demands of the global workforce,” a statement by the parliament of Kenya said.
“He added that the shift from a high-stakes national examination system to a continuous assessment model was intended to provide equitable opportunities for learners from all backgrounds to develop and progress.”
The risk of the system to learners
However, he raised concerns that the reform’s objectives risk being weakened if a significant number of learners are exiting the system before completing key stages of education, with some reportedly falling into child labour and early marriages in vulnerable regions.
At the centre of the inquiry is a demand for official data showing how many learners joined the inaugural CBC Grade 1 cohort in 2017 and how many have successfully transitioned to Grade 10 in 2026.
Senator Sifuna argues that without clear figures, it is difficult to assess whether the system is delivering on its promise of inclusivity.
The Committee on Education, chaired by Betty Montet, has also been asked to provide an update on government-led mop-up programmes aimed at tracing and reintegrating learners who dropped out along the way.
MPs push for CBC progress
Members of Parliament (MPs) have also put Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba under pressure over long-standing challenges facing Kenya’s education system, with a sharp focus on the transition from junior to senior school under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
The concerns were raised on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, during a National Assembly engagement, as lawmakers questioned whether the government is adequately prepared to support learners, parents, and schools ten years after CBC was rolled out.
Lawmakers said parents across the country are struggling with high uniform costs, uneven funding between schools, and unclear implementation of government education policies. The discussion took place during the 2026 Legislative Retreat in Naivasha Constituency, where MPs were reviewing government performance across key sectors, including education.
In setting the tone of the discussion, Parliament said MPs were particularly concerned that gaps in the transition from Junior to Senior School could leave thousands of learners uncertain about their future.
They also questioned whether public schools have the resources needed to handle the next phase of CBC, especially in rural and low-income areas where families already face heavy financial pressure.