Education

Government Publishes Approved Textbook List for Grade 10 as CBC Senior School Rollout Advances

NAIROBI — The Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) has released an official list of authorized learning materials for Grade 10 students, marking a crucial milestone in the rollout of the Competency-Based Curriculum at the senior school level.

ALSO READ: Government Announces Tarmacking of Road Leading to Kalonzo’s Home After Public Spat with Ruto

The comprehensive document, made public on Tuesday, December 23, specifies which textbooks and educational resources have been cleared for use across Kenya’s senior secondary institutions under the new curriculum framework.

Core Subjects and Career Pathways

Under the CBC senior school structure, students will study seven learning areas. Four of these are mandatory core subjects: English, Kiswahili, Core Mathematics, and Community Service Learning (CSL).

Students will then choose three additional subjects aligned with their career goals, personal interests, abilities, and aptitudes, with guidance from their teachers.

The curriculum offers three distinct career pathways: STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), Social Sciences, and Arts and Sports Science.

Arts and Sports Science Materials

Students pursuing Music and Dance will require textbooks including Hummingbird Music and Dance, Mentor Music and Dance, KLB Excellent Music and Dance, Moran Music and Dance, and Distinction Music and Dance.

For Theatre and Film students, approved materials include Doritex Film and Theatre and Distinction Theatre and Film. Fine Arts learners must obtain Front Row Fine Arts and Mentor Fine Arts.

Those specializing in Sports Science need Mountain Sports Science, Top Sports and Recreation, and Booklyst Master Sports and Recreation.

Social Sciences Pathway Resources

English language learners in this pathway have several approved options: English Moran, KLB Excellent English, Storymoja English, Hummingbird English, Oxford English, and Highland English.

For Kiswahili instruction, authorized books include Moran Kiswahili Cha Mwanafunzi, Oxford Kiswahili Fasaha, Mentor Kiswahili Kitabu cha Mwanafunzi, Longhorn Chemchemi za Kiswahili, One Planet Mbiu ya Kiswahili, and Hummingbird Kiswahili Kitabu cha Mwanafunzi.

History students must use Oxford Evolving World History, Magical History, or the Citizenship Learner’s book.

Geography learners require Oxford Active Geography Learner’s Book, Longhorn Comprehensive Geography, or KLB Excelling Geography.

Business Studies students need Mentor Business Studies, Oxford Active Business Studies, Spotlight Business Studies, or Master Business Studies.

STEM Pathway Textbooks

Computer Studies students must obtain Modern Technology Computer Studies or Oxford Active Computer Studies.

Mathematics learners have multiple approved options: Mentor Mathematics, Spotlight Core Mathematics, Longhorn Advancing in Core Mathematics, KLB Excellent Core Mathematics, Mentor General Mathematics, and Spotlight Essential Mathematics.

Biology students can choose from Spotlight Biology, Triumph Biology, Oxford Biology Today, Magic Biology, Master Biology, or Mentor Biology.

Those studying Building and Construction should acquire Master Building and Construction, Distinction Building and Construction, or Excellent Building and Construction.

Teacher Responsibilities

Educators in senior schools bear the responsibility of selecting learning materials exclusively from the approved catalogue. They must utilize both student textbooks and teacher’s guides while ensuring their instructional methods align with CBC’s teaching, learning, and assessment frameworks.

Expected Learning Outcomes

According to the Ministry of Education, students completing senior school should demonstrate effective communication skills and proficiency in information and communication technology across various contexts.

Graduates must exhibit mathematical, logical, and critical thinking capabilities for problem-solving, as well as basic research and scientific skills to analyze their environment and address challenges.

Additionally, senior school graduates should be equipped to leverage their individual talents for recreation, personal development, career advancement, and further education or vocational training.

The publication of this approved materials list provides clarity to schools, parents, and publishers as Kenya’s education system continues transitioning to the competency-based model, which emphasizes practical skills and learner-centered approaches over traditional examination-focused methods.