Parents' Role in the CBC Model: What Kenyan Parents Do

What is the parents' role in the CBC model?

CBC is built on the idea that learning continues outside the classroom. Teachers guide learners at school, but values, habits, reading and practical skills are strengthened at home.

In practice, the parents' role in the CBC model has four parts: supporting your child's daily learning, helping with projects and practical tasks, staying informed about progress, and communicating with the school.

The curriculum also promotes values such as responsibility, respect and love for country. These are taught and modelled by families as much as by teachers, so what children see at home matters.

How can parents support CBC learning at home?

You do not need to repeat the lesson. You need to create a steady routine and show interest. Try these simple habits:

• Set a regular time and quiet place for homework and reading
• Ask your child to explain what they learned today in their own words
• Read together daily, in English, Kiswahili or your mother tongue
• Give small household responsibilities that build independence
• Let your child count, measure, cook, plant or repair with you
• Limit screen time and talk about what they watch
• Praise effort and curiosity, not only correct answers

How do parents help with CBC projects and assignments?

CBC often includes projects, practical tasks and community activities, and these may need materials or a bit of guidance from home. Many projects can be done with items you already have, such as boxes, bottles, soil, cloth or recycled paper.

The golden rule is to guide, not to do the work. A project is meant to show what your child can do. If a parent builds it, the teacher cannot assess the learner's real skills, and the child misses the learning.

Ask your child's teacher in advance what materials are needed and whether alternatives are allowed. A good school will explain the task clearly and avoid pushing families into unnecessary spending.

How can parents follow progress under CBC assessment?

CBC assessment happens throughout the term through observation, class tasks, projects and tests, with national assessments such as KPSEA at Grade 6 and KJSEA at Grade 9 set by KNEC. Because of this, one report form at the end of term is only part of the picture.

Ask the teacher how your child is performing in each learning area, which skills are strong and which need support. Ask what the performance levels on the report mean, and what you can practise at home.

Keep your child's reports, project feedback and notes in one folder. This helps you notice patterns and have better conversations with teachers. For official assessment rules, check the KNEC website.

What mistakes should parents avoid in CBC?

Many parents are still adjusting from the old system and can fall into habits that do not help the child.

• Doing the project for the child
• Judging progress only by marks and ranking
• Comparing your child with other learners
• Waiting until the end of term to speak to the teacher
• Buying costly materials without first asking what is really required
• Relying on rumours in groups instead of asking the school

How should parents and teachers communicate?

Good communication prevents most problems. Ask the school how it shares notices, progress updates and project instructions, and which channel to use for questions.

When you contact a teacher, be specific. Instead of asking whether your child is doing well, ask which skill they find hardest and what you can practise together. Attend parents' meetings and respond to messages on time.

For concerns the class teacher cannot resolve, follow the school's process, starting with the head teacher. If you still need help, your sub-county education office can advise. Choosing the right school also matters, and our guide to private vs public schools in Kenya explains what to check.

How can school heads involve parents in CBC?

Parents cannot support what they do not understand. School heads and administrators can make involvement easier by explaining CBC in plain language, sharing project instructions early and being clear about costs.

Publish term dates, notices, project guidelines and contact details in one place so parents are not chasing information through many chats. Hold short parent sessions on how assessment and reporting work.

A school website helps with this. Somahub builds and hosts free school websites, and the paid Premium plan adds online enrollment, results checking, attendance and fee tools. See the Somahub features page for details.