Teaching Grade 10 under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) is a whole new experience. By this level, you quickly realise that delivering meaningful lessons needs more than just preparation. You need clarity—on what to teach, when to teach it, and how to align it with KICD standards. That’s exactly where the KICD Grade 10 curriculum designs become essential.
These aren’t just official documents. They are your day-to-day teaching companions—helping you plan your lessons, assess learners effectively, and stick to national learning goals. Whether you’re handling mathematics, Kiswahili, agriculture, or even aviation technology, the Grade 10 Curriculum Designs guide you through the CBC structure with purpose.
What You Need to Know About Grade 10 in CBC
By the time learners reach Grade 10, they’ve already gone through the foundational and lower secondary stages. Grade 10 marks the beginning of senior school, where learners begin to focus on specific academic and career pathways—based on their talents, interests, and strengths.
KICD has developed a wide range of curriculum designs to support both core subjects and specialised pathway subjects. These designs clearly outline
- The learning outcomes
- Competencies
- Content strands
- Teaching approaches
- And even assessment guidelines
Subjects Covered in the KICD Grade 10 Curriculum Designs
Here’s a full list of subjects available under the Grade 10 CBC framework:
Languages and Literature
- English
- Kiswahili Lugha
- Fasihi ya Kiswahili
- Literature in English
- Indigenous Languages
- Arabic
- French
- German
- Mandarin
- Kenyan Sign Language (CSL)
Sciences
- Mathematics
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- General Science
- Computer Science
Technical and Vocational
- Agriculture
- Home Science
- ICT
- Building Construction
- Metal Technology
- Electrical Technology
- Power Mechanics
- Wood Technology
- Aviation Technology
Humanities & Social Sciences
- Geography
- History and Citizenship
- Business Studies
Religious Education
- CRE (Christian Religious Education)
- IRE (Islamic Religious Education)
- HRE (Hindu Religious Education)
Creative Arts
- Fine Arts
- Music & Dance
- Theatre & Film
Physical Education & Wellness
- Physical Education
- Sports & Recreation
Each of these subjects has its dedicated curriculum design—prepared and regularly reviewed by KICD to meet both national education standards and international best practices.
Download KICD Grade 10 Curriculum Designs (PDF)
You can get the latest Grade 10 designs from the official KICD website or here at Teachers Kenya Hub. Always ensure you’re working with the Grade 10 Curriculum Designs (updated 2023/2024 versions), as these reflect recent improvements in structure and assessment.
Why Curriculum Designs Matter in the Real Classroom
Let’s be honest: teaching Grade 10 without a curriculum design is like trying to navigate Nairobi without Google Maps. These documents help you stay on track—term by term. You’ll know exactly what to teach, the learning goals to aim for, and the types of activities or assessments to plan.
What you’ll find in typical Grade 10 curriculum designs:
- Clear strands and sub-strands for every topic
- Suggested learning experiences for CBC delivery
- Core competencies to develop in each lesson
- Assessment guidelines for both formative and summative work
- Cross-cutting themes like digital literacy, citizenship, and environmental sustainability
So whether you’re preparing a practical in physics or supporting a project in fine arts, the curriculum design offers you a CBC-aligned path.
Adapting the Curriculum to Fit Your Learners
One of the best aspects of CBC is the flexibility it provides teachers. But that also comes with responsibility. The curriculum designs help us customise learning without going off-track.
For example, if you’re in a rural school with limited access to computers, the ICT design still suggests alternative ways to nurture digital skills. CBC encourages adaptability, not excuses.
Grade 10 subjects fall into three main CBC Pathways:
- Arts and Sports Science
- Social Sciences
- STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)
Learners now begin to focus more on areas like Music, aviation, business studies, or computer science. So as teachers, we must be ready to guide them—starting with the curriculum designs.
How to Use Grade 10 Curriculum Designs in Your Planning
The curriculum design is the best starting point when writing your lesson plans or schemes of work. It ensures:
- You’re pacing your content correctly across the term
- You’re using teaching strategies that promote active learning
- Your assessments are competency-based—not just exam drills
Pro Tip: Involve your students in planning. CBC promotes student agency. If you’re handling theater & film, for instance, let learners brainstorm project ideas based on the competencies in the curriculum design.
More Resources for Grade 10 Teachers
To complement the curriculum designs, you’ll also need tools that make your day-to-day planning smoother. Here are some resources worth checking out:
These are crafted to align with CBC learning outcomes and help save time during the busy school term.
Looking for Curriculum Designs for Other Levels?
You can explore more CBC designs below:
Final Word
Teaching at Senior School is both rewarding and demanding. But with the right resources—starting with the KICD Grade 10 Curriculum Designs—you’re well-equipped to deliver relevant, engaging, and competency-based learning. Take time to understand each design deeply. These aren’t just files—they’re your partners in shaping Kenya’s next generation.