KICD Asks Principals to Submit Grade 10 Learner, Textbook Data by Subject

KICD Asks Principals to Submit Grade 10 Learner, Textbook Data by Subject

The Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) has directed all senior school principals to submit updated Grade 10 enrolment and textbook data by subject, as the government prepares for the second phase of textbook distribution under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).

In a notice issued on April 7, the institute confirmed that the first phase of textbook distribution had been completed, but acknowledged inconsistencies that have left some schools with surplus books while others continue to face shortages.

“The Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development informs all Senior School Principals that the first phase of the distribution of Grade 10 textbooks has been completed, guided by the data initially provided by the Ministry of Education,” the notice stated.

KICD attributed the mismatch to gaps in the initial data submitted by the Ministry of Education (MoE), noting that the figures did not accurately reflect the actual number of learners or their subject selections at the school level.

As part of the new directive, principals are now required to provide detailed information on two key areas: the current number of Grade 10 learners per subject and the number of textbooks received during the first phase, also broken down by subject.

The institute emphasised that the data collection exercise is critical to achieving the government’s policy of a one-to-one textbook ratio, where each learner is provided with a textbook for every subject they are studying.

“This will inform the second phase of distribution of Grade 10 textbooks to ensure that all learners have received textbooks in all subjects on a one-to-one ratio as per Government policy,” KICD stated.

Education officials say the need for precise, subject-specific data has become increasingly important under the CBC framework, where learners in senior school are allowed to choose different subject combinations. This flexibility, while beneficial for personalised learning, has complicated the logistics of textbook distribution.

KICD Director Charles Ong’ondo Ochieng noted in a recent interview that the updated data will not only address current shortages but will also guide future planning for textbook distribution in Grades 11 and 12.

“We must get Grade 10 right because the same data will be used to plan for the next levels,” Ong’ondo explained, underscoring the long-term implications of the exercise.

ll as those with excess supplies, have been instructed to flag these discrepancies before the submission deadline of April 10. The institute warned that timely and accurate reporting will be essential to ensure equitable distribution in the second phase.

The directive comes after Grade 10 learners completed their first term in senior school amid widespread reports of textbook shortages in several parts of the country. In some cases, students have been forced to share limited learning materials, raising concerns about the quality of instruction and overall learning outcomes.

According to KICD, part of the confusion arose when schools and students altered their initial subject selections without updating the corresponding enrolment data. This resulted in disparities between projected and actual demand for textbooks across different subjects.

Education stakeholders have welcomed the move, noting that improved data accuracy will help streamline resource allocation and enhance the implementation of CBC at the senior school level.

As the government intensifies efforts to stabilise the transition to the new curriculum, the success of the second phase of textbook distribution is expected to play a crucial role in ensuring that learners have adequate resources to support their studies.

The coming days will be critical as schools compile and submit the required data, setting the stage for what KICD hopes will be a more efficient and equitable distribution process moving forward.

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KICD Asks Principals to Submit Grade 10 Learner, Textbook Data by Subject