Online CBC/CBE School in Kenya (Grade 1–12)

By Alfred Ouko, Founder · October 2026 · 10 min read

Kenya’s Competency-Based Curriculum, now usually described as Competency-Based Education, CBE, has reshaped schooling from Grade 1 to Grade 12. In January 2026 the first cohort moved into Senior School at Grade 10, choosing a pathway for the first time. Families who want their child to follow the Kenyan curriculum but learn at home ask us how online CBC/CBE works, how assessments fit and what the Senior School transition means. This guide answers those questions plainly. It also explains, carefully, what an online school can and cannot do inside a national system.

How CBC/CBE is structured

CBE is organised into Early Years Education, covering pre-primary and Lower Primary, Grades 1 to 3; Upper Primary, Grades 4 to 6; Junior School, Grades 7 to 9; and Senior School, Grades 10 to 12. The curriculum designs are developed by KICD, the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development, and national assessments are run by KNEC, the Kenya National Examinations Council. The approach emphasises competencies such as communication, critical thinking, creativity and digital literacy, with projects and practical tasks alongside written work.

Junior School and KJSEA

At the end of Grade 9, learners sit the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment, KJSEA, run by KNEC. KJSEA results, together with earlier school-based assessments and the learner’s choices, inform placement into Senior School and into a pathway. If your child is learning outside a registered school, ask KNEC how they would be registered for KJSEA and other national assessments, because entries are made through assessment centres.

Senior School at Grade 10: the pathways

Senior School introduces three pathways: STEM; Social Sciences; and Arts and Sports Science. Learners take core subjects, including English, Kiswahili or Kenyan Sign Language, mathematics and community service learning, plus electives linked to their pathway. The Ministry has described core mathematics for STEM learners and essential mathematics for other pathways. The first Grade 10 learners reported to Senior School in January 2026. For families, the key decision is the pathway, because it shapes subject choices for the next three years and, later, university and career options.

What online CBC/CBE looks like with Smartious

Our CBC/CBE students join live lessons with qualified teachers on East Africa Time, following the KICD curriculum designs for their grade. Teachers set projects and practical tasks that can be done at home, give feedback against the competencies, and write regular reports. Younger learners have shorter lessons with more activity and need a parent or carer nearby. Junior School learners follow a fuller timetable across the learning areas. For Grade 10 and above, we discuss pathway and subject choices with each family before placement.

Practical learning at home

CBE expects learners to do things, not only read about them: experiments, models, community projects, agriculture, art, music and sport. At home, that means planning. We set tasks that use everyday materials and the local environment, and we encourage families to add clubs, sport and community activities. Parents of younger learners often find this the most enjoyable part, because it brings learning into daily life.

Switching between CBE and Cambridge

Some families start with CBE and later move to Cambridge IGCSE, or the other way round, often because of a planned move abroad or a university goal. The systems differ in structure and assessment, so a switch is easiest at natural transition points, such as the start of Junior School or Senior School, or before starting IGCSE. Our placement assessment checks your child’s level so they are placed correctly in the new system. Plan any switch with future exams and admissions in mind.

A careful note on recognition

We teach the Kenyan curriculum online; we do not claim approval from KICD, KNEC or the Ministry of Education. National assessments are run by KNEC through registered assessment centres, and the legal position of home education in Kenya is not straightforward. Before you choose an online CBC/CBE route, read our guide on whether homeschooling is legal in Kenya, check with KNEC how your child would sit KJSEA and later national assessments, and keep good records.

Fees and joining

Fees start from USD 423 a month for Primary, payable termly, about KSh 54,600 at roughly KSh 129 to the dollar (approximate, October 2026). Fees vary by curriculum and level. One-to-one tuition is USD 15 an hour. Fees are non-refundable once the assessment is done, the timetable has been created and lessons have started. Our next intake is Term 2, starting on 5 January 2027; apply by December.

Choosing a Senior School pathway

Choosing a pathway is a big decision for a fifteen year old. Start with your child’s interests and strengths across Junior School, not only their test scores. Look at what each pathway leads to: STEM for engineering, medicine and technology; Social Sciences for law, business, humanities and languages; Arts and Sports Science for creative, performance and sports careers. Check the subject requirements of courses your child may want later. Talk to teachers, and give your child time to think. A good pathway choice is one your child understands and owns.

Online CBC/CBE lets Kenyan families keep their child in the national curriculum while learning at home with qualified teachers. Think early about national assessments and the Senior School pathway, and keep records as you go. To talk it through, message admissions on WhatsApp at +254 745 021 212.

Frequently asked questions

Do you teach CBC/CBE online?

Yes, from Grade 1 to Grade 12, live on East Africa Time, following the KICD curriculum designs.

How will my child sit KJSEA?

KJSEA is run by KNEC through assessment centres. Ask KNEC how a learner outside a registered school would be registered.

What are the Senior School pathways?

STEM; Social Sciences; and Arts and Sports Science, each with core subjects and pathway electives.

Can my child switch to Cambridge later?

Yes. A switch is easiest at a transition point. Our placement assessment helps place your child correctly.

Next steps

What parents say

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