Matiangi: Education challenges stem from management, not CBC

Jubilee Deputy Party leader Fred Matiang'i/X

Former Cabinet Secretary for Education Fred Matiang’i has weighed in on the ongoing debate over the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC), saying current challenges in the education sector stem more from implementation and management gaps than the curriculum itself.

In a statement posted on Friday, Matiang’i argued that the CBC has often been blamed for problems in the education system, yet the underlying issues relate to how reforms are administered.

“Education policies, regardless of the framework, require competent leadership, careful planning, and institutional stability to succeed,” he said.

Matiang’i noted that Kenya’s education sector has previously undergone major transitions, which were successfully managed through deliberate reforms and coordinated planning.

“There is nothing wrong with the CBC. The present challenge is in the incompetent and chaotic management of the education sector,” he remarked.

He cited the implementation of the 100 per cent transition policy as an example of a milestone that required planning across schools, infrastructure, and staffing, warning that such gains risk being undermined if not properly sustained.

Matiang’i emphasized that curriculum reforms should be evaluated in the broader context of governance, policy execution, and institutional capacity, rather than in isolation. He said weaknesses in coordination, oversight, and accountability have compounded difficulties for learners, teachers, and parents.

The former Cabinet Secretary also referenced remarks by some government-allied Members of Parliament who have raised concerns about operational challenges within the Ministry of Education.

These lawmakers, he noted, questioned whether senior officials are sufficiently focused on core tasks, including curriculum rollout, teacher preparedness, and resource allocation.

While acknowledging public frustration with the CBC, Matiang’i maintained that the curriculum itself is not inherently flawed.

Instead, he argued, the success of any education system depends on orderly implementation, professional leadership, and consistent policy direction.

Without these elements, even well-designed reforms are likely to face resistance and confusion on the ground.

Matiang’i served as Cabinet Secretary for Education during a period of wide-ranging reforms that included curriculum reviews, examination changes, and efforts to expand access to secondary education.

His tenure is often associated with a firm administrative approach and a focus on compliance and delivery within the sector.

In his statement, Matiang’i expressed optimism that the challenges facing the education sector can be addressed with renewed leadership and institutional reforms.

He said restoring confidence in the system requires professionalism, careful planning, and results-oriented management, both in education and across government.

“We will restore order, professionalism, and results-driven leadership in the education sector, and government as a whole,” he said.