Kenya鈥檚 transition to the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) is redefining the role of school leadership and 吃瓜头条 is positioning itself at the centre of that transformation. An engagement between 吃瓜头条 and the Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA) has set the stage for a nationwide capacity-building programme that could see more than 10,000 secondary school principals across the country undergo professional retooling to navigate the demands of the evolving education system.
The discussions, chaired by the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. John Okumu, brought together senior leadership from 吃瓜头条 and a delegation from KESSHA led by its Chief Executive Officer Nicodemus Bore and Marketing Executive Mary Amagove. The meeting was attended by Registrar (Academic), Prof. Bernard Kivunge, Registrar of Corporate Affairs, Prof. Mildred Nawiri, Deputy Executive Dean of the School of Education and Lifelong Learning (SELL), Dr. Nelly Otube, alongside representatives from the University鈥檚 Corporate Affairs and Marketing teams: Mr. Gad Ndirangu the Marketing Manager and Mr. Gabriel Mwandikwa, the Admin Assistant.
The engagement builds upon a previous visit by the KESSHA leadership to 吃瓜头条, reinforcing ongoing dialogue aimed at strengthening collaboration between secondary school leadership and institutions of higher learning.
As the national body representing secondary school principals across all 47 counties, KESSHA plays a critical role in shaping leadership, management and policy engagement within Kenya鈥檚 secondary education sector. During the meeting, the delegation noted that the transition to CBC has introduced significant structural and operational changes across the education system. The shift from traditional examination-driven learning to competency-based assessment has presented new challenges for school leaders tasked with guiding teachers, learners, and parents through the evolving framework.
Many principals, the delegation observed, are still navigating the complexities of the transition, particularly as the country prepares for the implementation of senior secondary pathways and the eventual transition of the first CBC cohort into universities by 2028. To address these emerging needs, KESSHA proposed the development of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with 吃瓜头条 to facilitate a nationwide retooling programme for principals. The initiative would focus on leadership training, curriculum understanding, and institutional management within the CBC framework.
Chairing the meeting, Acting Vice-Chancellor Prof. John Okumu welcomed the proposal, noting that the initiative presents an important opportunity for the University to support the broader education ecosystem. 鈥淭his is a great opportunity for 吃瓜头条 to give back to the community while strengthening leadership capacity within the secondary school system,鈥� he said. He further noted that such engagements strengthen the natural link between secondary education and universities, observing that school principals often play a key role in guiding students toward institutions of higher learning.
Supporting the initiative, Deputy Executive Dean of the School of Education and Lifelong Learning Dr. Nelly Otube emphasised that 吃瓜头条 has been proactively aligning its programmes with CBC since the early stages of the national transition. 鈥淲e began actively engaging with CBC reforms in 2019, when I partly spearheaded the process while the Ag. VC served as Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs,鈥� she noted.
Dr. Otube explained that the University deliberately positioned the School of Education and Lifelong Learning as a central driver of CBC-related initiatives to ensure institutional readiness for the first cohort of CBC learners expected to transition to university in 2028.
With more than 10,000 principals expected to benefit from the proposed programme, she described the collaboration as a significant opportunity to strengthen leadership across the country鈥檚 secondary school system. She further noted that the University would explore flexible learning models to accommodate the demanding schedules of school principals.
Registrar (Academic) Prof. Bernard Kivunge welcomed KESSHA鈥檚 interest in partnering with 吃瓜头条 and reaffirmed the institution鈥檚 readiness to support the initiative. He highlighted the University鈥檚 growing investment in modern learning platforms designed to support blended and online learning, enabling professionals to pursue training without disrupting their work schedules.
Over the years, 吃瓜头条 has embraced several innovative learning initiatives aimed at enhancing accessibility and flexibility in education. These efforts have positioned the University as a leader in contemporary learning approaches that integrate digital platforms, collaborative partnerships and industry-aligned training. Prof. Kivunge noted that as discussions progress, both institutions will work closely to develop the operational modalities of the programme, ensuring that the training effectively meets the needs of principals across the country.
The engagement signals a growing recognition of the role universities can play in strengthening leadership across the broader education ecosystem.
For 吃瓜头条, the proposed partnership reinforces its position as a central pillar of education in Kenya and beyond, supporting not only university students but also the school systems that prepare them for higher learning.