The Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) in Kenya is designed to nurture every learner’s potential by focusing on practical skills, knowledge, and attitudes rather than just rote memorization. One of its core components is the CBC grading system, which assesses learners based on competencies, performance levels, and continuous assessment.
1. What Is the CBC Grading System?
Unlike the traditional 8-4-4 system that relied heavily on exams and marks, the CBC grading system focuses on continuous assessment through classwork, projects, practical activities, and teacher observations.
Each learner’s progress is measured using performance levels that indicate how well they have demonstrated mastery of a given competency.
2. CBC Grading Scale (Performance Levels)
The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) uses a 1 to 7 level grading scale, where each level represents a learner’s proficiency in a specific competency:
| Performance Level | Description | Meaning / Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Exceeding Expectations | Learner demonstrates exceptional mastery and applies knowledge in new situations. |
| 6 | Above Expectations | Learner performs tasks with minimal guidance and shows deep understanding. |
| 5 | Meeting Expectations | Learner meets the expected level of competency independently. |
| 4 | Approaching Expectations | Learner shows progress but requires some support to meet expectations. |
| 3 | Below Expectations | Learner is beginning to grasp concepts but needs significant support. |
| 2 | Emerging | Learner shows minimal understanding; requires close guidance. |
| 1 | Needs Support | Learner has major difficulties understanding and applying concepts. |
This system emphasizes progress and mastery rather than competition or ranking.
3. Key Components of CBC Assessment
Formative Assessment – Continuous daily and weekly assessments by teachers to monitor learning progress.
Summative Assessment – End-of-level assessments conducted by KNEC to evaluate overall achievement.
Competency Domains – Assessment focuses on key areas such as literacy, numeracy, creativity, critical thinking, and communication.
Portfolio Evidence – Teachers maintain learner portfolios documenting activities, projects, and achievements.
4. How Teachers Record and Report CBC Grades
Teachers use digital or manual assessment tools to capture learner progress across subjects.
A Teacher Dashboard Software like Ratibu simplifies this by allowing educators to:
Record performance levels digitally (1–7 scale)
Generate term reports and progress summaries automatically
Track learner growth across competencies
Share reports instantly with parents
This eliminates paperwork and ensures consistency in grading and reporting.
5. Benefits of the CBC Grading System
Promotes holistic development beyond academics.
Encourages learner-centered education focused on strengths.
Enhances teacher-parent collaboration through progress reports.
Provides data-driven insights for individual learner improvement.
6. CBC Grading Example
For example, in a Grade 6 Mathematics topic on “Fractions”:
| Learner Name | Performance Level | Description |
|---|---|---|
| John Mwangi | 6 | Above Expectations – understands fractions and applies them to problem-solving. |
| Mary Achieng | 4 | Approaching Expectations – needs support in fraction word problems. |
| Peter Kamau | 7 | Exceeding Expectations – demonstrates advanced mastery with real-life applications. |
The CBC grading system in Kenya represents a positive shift toward holistic, skills-based learning. It values understanding, creativity, and practical application over memorization.
With modern tools like Teacher Dashboard Software, teachers can easily record, analyze, and report learner progress — ensuring each child’s unique potential is recognized and nurtured.
8. CBC Assessment Tools Used by Teachers
Under the CBC framework, teachers use both qualitative and quantitative assessment tools to evaluate learners.
Here are the main tools applied across lower and upper grades:
a. Observation Checklists
Used to record how well learners perform specific tasks or behaviors during activities. For example, a science teacher may note how confidently a learner conducts an experiment.
b. Rating Scales
These use numerical levels (1–7) to show the degree to which learners meet expectations in each competency area.
c. Rubrics
Provide detailed descriptions of performance criteria for a task, helping teachers assess consistency, creativity, and mastery.
d. Learner Portfolios
Portfolios compile the student’s work, including projects, assignments, and reflections — forming an evidence-based record of learning progress.
e. Peer and Self-Assessment
Encourages learners to reflect on their progress and assess peers constructively, promoting collaboration and ownership of learning.
9. CBC Subjects and Competency Areas
The CBC curriculum is built around seven key competencies that cut across all subjects:
Communication and Collaboration
Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
Imagination and Creativity
Citizenship and Patriotism
Learning to Learn
Digital Literacy
Self-Efficacy
Each subject under CBC — such as Mathematics, English, Science, Social Studies, and Creative Arts — is evaluated based on how learners demonstrate these competencies in real-world contexts.
10. CBC Reporting and Progress Reports
Reporting in the CBC system focuses on narrative feedback rather than marks or grades.
Teachers generate reports with descriptive remarks such as:
“Learner shows great creativity in storytelling and needs to work on grammar.”
“Learner confidently applies mathematical concepts to practical situations.”
Digital Reporting Made Easy
Modern Teacher Dashboard Software or School ERP systems (like Ratibu or Kayapro) simplify this by allowing teachers to:
Enter learner performance data by competency
Generate auto-graded progress reports
Export PDF summaries for parents
View performance analytics for each term
This ensures uniform, accurate, and transparent reporting across schools.
11. CBC vs 8-4-4 Grading System
| Aspect | CBC System | 8-4-4 System |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Competency & skills mastery | Examination performance |
| Assessment Type | Continuous assessment | Summative exams |
| Grading Levels | 1 to 7 (Performance-based) | A to E (Marks-based) |
| Learning Approach | Learner-centered | Teacher-centered |
| Feedback | Descriptive, personalized | Numeric, ranked |
| Technology Use | Digital dashboards & e-portfolios | Mostly manual grading |
CBC emphasizes learner growth, innovation, and real-life application, while 8-4-4 relied on memorization and competition.
12. Challenges in Implementing CBC Grading
While CBC is a major improvement, schools still face challenges such as:
Lack of adequate training for teachers.
Limited access to digital grading tools.
Time-consuming manual assessment and report writing.
Inconsistent understanding of grading standards across schools.
The solution lies in adopting digital CBC grading systems that standardize assessments and reduce workload.
13. Digital Transformation: CBC Grading Software
A CBC Grading System Software automates and digitizes the entire grading process — from data entry to report generation.
Core Features Include:
Learner performance tracking (1–7 scale)
Automatic generation of termly reports
Bulk class data upload from Excel
Parent portal for viewing results
Integration with school fees and attendance systems
Cloud backup and instant report printing
Such a system ensures accuracy, consistency, and time savings for teachers.
14. Future of CBC Grading in Kenya
With Kenya’s continued education reforms, CBC grading will evolve with more data-driven insights and AI-powered tools.
We’re likely to see:
Integration with Ministry of Education portals
Online report verification systems
AI-assisted learning progress predictions
Seamless mobile access for parents and teachers
Schools embracing digital CBC platforms today are positioning themselves for the future of smart education management.
15. Conclusion
The CBC grading system in Kenya represents a bold shift toward a more inclusive, practical, and skill-oriented education model.
It focuses on nurturing every learner’s strengths, creativity, and confidence.
By pairing CBC with innovative Teacher Dashboard Software, schools can streamline grading, reduce paperwork, and enhance communication among teachers, parents, and learners.