Under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), Senior Secondary students are expected to choose career pathways.
At the Senior Secondary level (Grades 10–12), students begin to specialize in pathways that align with their interests, abilities, and career aspirations.
This stage prepares learners for further education, vocational training, or entry into the workforce.
From 2026, Senior Secondary schools will offer three main pathways. Learners choose their pathway based on competencies, interests, and career goals.
What does the CBC Structure Involve
The CBC is organized into the following structure:
Early Years Education includes Pre-primary (PP1 & PP2) and Lower Primary (Grades 1–3), laying the foundation for basic literacy, numeracy, and social skills.
Middle School Education encompasses Upper Primary (Grades 4–6) and Junior Secondary (Grades 7–9), with a curriculum that develops critical thinking, creativity, and foundational competencies across various subjects.
Senior Secondary Education spans Grades 10–12, where learners begin to specialize in pathways that align with their interests, abilities, and potential career goals.
Tertiary and higher education encompasses Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), universities, and other specialized institutions, offering advanced knowledge, skills, and professional training for further studies or employment.
Subjects on Each Pathway
| Pathway | Track | Optional Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Arts and Sports Science | Arts | Fine Arts, Music and Dance, Theatre and Film |
| Sports Science | Physical Education, Sports and Recreation | |
| Social Sciences | Humanities and Business Studies | Business Studies, History and Citizenship, Geography, Christian Religious Education (CRE), Islamic Religious Education (IRE), Hindu Religious Education (HRE), Community Service Learning (CSL) |
| Languages and Literature | English Language, Literature in English, Lugha ya Kiswahili, Fasihi ya Kiswahili, Indigenous Languages, Sign Language, Arabic, French, German, Mandarin Chinese | |
| Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) | Pure Sciences | Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, General Science |
| Applied Sciences | Agriculture, Computer Science, Home Science | |
| Technical Studies | Aviation, Power Mechanics, Media Technology, Marine and Fisheries Technology, Building Construction, Electricity, Metal Work, Wood Work |
Also Read: What Parents and Students Should Know About Senior School Categories Under CBC
Possible Career Pathways
The following is a list of possible careers that students can explore under CBC:
1) STEM Pathway (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)
Possible Careers:
- Engineers (civil, mechanical, software)
- Doctors, Pharmacists, Biotechnologists
- IT Specialists, Data Scientists, Programmers
- Researchers in various scientific fields
Also Read: How to Transfer Student from One School to Another Under CBC
2) Arts and Sports Science Pathway
Possible Careers:
- Artists, Actors, Musicians
- Media Personnel (Journalists, Directors, Producers)
- Athletes, Coaches, Sports Managers
- Writers, Poets, Film Producers
3) Social Sciences Pathway
Possible Careers:
- Lawyers, Economists, Politicians
- Sociologists, Anthropologists, Historians
- Teachers and Professors in Social Sciences
- Diplomats, Public Administrators
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