Kenya Publishers Association Confirms Availability of CBC Textbooks for Grade 9 Learners
Kenya Publishers Association (KPA) provided an update on the status of textbooks for the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). This announcement followed numerous requests from parents, teachers, and the public seeking clarity on the availability of CBC textbooks, particularly for Grade 9 learners.
KPA confirmed that textbooks for Grade 9 learners are in the final stages of distribution to all public schools across the country.
The distribution process is in line with the government’s policy of providing core textbooks to learners in a one-to-one ratio. To date, more than 80% of Grade 9 textbooks have already been delivered to schools, with the remaining copies expected to reach all schools by January 13, 2025.
The textbooks being distributed cover key learning areas such as Pre-technical Studies, Agriculture, English, Mathematics, CRE, Kiswahili, Integrated Science, and Creative Arts.
Various publishers are responsible for the distribution of these textbooks, including Spotlight Publishers, Mountain Top Publishers, Moran Publishers, and Kenya Literature Bureau, among others.
KPA also emphasized that textbooks for Grade 9 are already available in bookshops for the open market, primarily targeting private schools.
Parents, teachers, and other interested individuals can visit bookshops to purchase the books. In cases where a bookshop does not have the required textbooks, customers can contact the KPA for assistance.
Chairperson of the Kenya Publishers Association, Kiarie Kamau, highlighted that the availability of these textbooks aligns with the government’s efforts to provide quality educational materials as part of the CBC rollout.
He also addressed the rationalization of learning areas following recommendations from the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms (PWPER), which led to a reduction in the number of subjects at various levels of education.
The rationalization process resulted in the merging of subjects such as Home Science and Agriculture & Nutrition, and Integrated Science and Health Education, among others.
In light of these changes, KPA assured the public that sufficient textbooks for the affected subjects, produced before the rationalization process, remain available to meet the needs of learners and teachers as they transition to the updated curriculum.
Additionally, KPA confirmed that textbooks for Grades 5, 6, 7, and 8 are also set to be released soon. KICD is in the final stages of evaluating and correcting these books, with a release expected by the end of January 2025 for Grades 5 and 6, and by February 2025 for Grades 7 and 8.
The association further acknowledged the efforts of KICD in approving a wide range of textbooks for Grade 9 learners, with contributions from over 15 publishers, including prominent names like Longhorn Publishers, Oxford University Press, and Storymoja.
This variety offers educators and students a broad selection of materials to enhance their learning experience.
Kiarie Kamau also raised concerns over the circulation of counterfeit textbooks, stressing the importance of purchasing original books that bear the KICD seal or tag.
KPA is working closely with KECOBO and the DCI to curb the spread of counterfeit materials.
In conclusion, KPA reassured the public that textbooks for all other subjects, including storybooks for children and fiction for senior school learners, are widely available in bookshops.
The association also confirmed that all changes to the CBC syllabus have been implemented, with consultations from various stakeholders, ensuring that the curriculum remains relevant and responsive to the needs of Kenyan learners.
As the rollout of CBC textbooks continues, the KPA remains committed to ensuring that all learners have access to quality educational resources, contributing to the success of the Competency-Based Curriculum across the country.
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