Govt launches programme to train Chinese language teachers
By Kenneth Mwenda, April 11, 2026The government has launched a programme to train teachers in the Chinese language as part of efforts to support its introduction into Kenyan schools under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
In a statement on Saturday, April 11, 2026, the Principal Secretary for Higher Education, Beatrice Muganda Inyangala, led a high-level meeting at TSC House in Upper Hill, Nairobi, where stakeholders discussed how to roll out the new subject. The meeting brought together officials from the Ministry of Education, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), and representatives from the Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi.
The discussions held on Friday, April 10, 2026, focused on a 1+1 Chinese language training programme for in-service teachers. The 26-month programme will see teachers train locally for one year before proceeding to China for further studies.
“The engagement brought together key stakeholders to deliberate on the implementation of Chinese language education in Kenya,” the Ministry of Education said.
Under the plan, teachers will first study at the Confucius Institute and the University of Nairobi’s Faculty of Education. They will work towards a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Chinese Language Track). After that, they will travel to Tianjin Normal University in China for advanced training.
Teachers to undergo training rollout
The programme follows the inclusion of the Chinese language in the CBC, which has created demand for trained teachers across the country.
TSC Chairperson Jamleck Muturi John and Acting Chief Executive Officer Evaleen Mitei also attended the meeting. Officials said the commission will work with partners to ensure smooth implementation of the programme.
Education stakeholders said the initiative will help build capacity among teachers and prepare schools for a phased rollout of the subject. They also noted that pilot programmes will first run in selected schools before national expansion.
The government said the move reflects Kenya’s growing cooperation with China in trade, education, and technology. It added that demand for Chinese language skills continues to rise in sectors such as tourism, diplomacy, and international business.
Officials said the training programme will also give teachers new professional opportunities and improve language instruction in schools.
If implemented as planned, the programme will mark a major step in expanding foreign language learning in Kenya’s education system.
Programme supports CBC rollout
The initiative comes as Kenya strengthens Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) implementation across senior schools. The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has also launched a free online training programme for senior school teachers on Competency-Based Assessment (CBA) to improve delivery under the new system.
Teachers can access the course through the KNEC portal, where they are guided through modules on assessment design, item writing, and test development.
The programme is self-paced and structured to ensure step-by-step learning. KNEC said the training aims to equip teachers with practical skills needed for fair and reliable assessment. The move also seeks to address gaps in teacher preparedness as the country transitions fully into CBC.