Access and download official KICD curriculum designs in PDF format for all levels of Kenya’s Competency-Based Education (CBE) framework. Published by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD), these rationalized curriculum designs define the statutory learning outcomes, subject scope, suggested learning experiences, and assessment guidelines for teachers across the country. Whether you are preparing instructional documents for Pre-Primary, Lower Primary, Upper Primary, Junior Secondary, or the newly introduced Senior School (Grade 10), you will find all approved syllabus booklets organized below for direct download.
Table of Contents
Quick-Access Grade-by-Grade Download Hub (PP1 to Grade 10)
To help teachers, curriculum support officers, and administrators find syllabus materials without delay, we have organized all approved KICD curriculum designs into an easy-to-navigate directory. Use the summary table below to jump directly to your grade level and download the official PDF documents for your subjects:
| Education Level | Grades Covered | Syllabus Scope & Subjects | Direct Download Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Primary (EYE) | PP1, PP2 | Language, Mathematical, Psychomotor, Creative, Environmental Activities | PP1 Designs | PP2 Designs |
| Lower Primary | Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3 | Indigenous Languages, Kiswahili/KSL, English, Mathematics, Environmental, Creative, RE | Grade 1 | Grade 2 | Grade 3 |
| Upper Primary | Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6 | 8 Rationalized Subjects: English, Kiswahili, Math, Science & Tech, Agriculture & Nutrition, Social, Creative Arts, RE | Grade 4 | Grade 5 | Grade 6 |
| Junior School (JSS) | Grade 7, Grade 8, Grade 9 | 9 Rationalized Subjects: Integrated Science, Pre-Technical, Social Studies, Agriculture, Creative Arts & Sports, etc. | Grade 7 | Grade 8 | Grade 9 |
| Senior School | Grade 10 (11 & 12) | Core Subjects & 3 Pathways: STEM, Social Sciences, Arts & Sports Science | Grade 10 Curriculum Designs |
| Teacher Colleges | DPTE & DECTE | Diploma in Primary Teacher Education & Early Childhood Teacher Education | DPTE / DTE Designs |
| Special Needs (SNE) | Foundation to JSS | Special Needs Adapted Curricula (VI, HI, Physical, and Stage-Based) | SNE Curriculum Designs |
Pre-Primary Rationalized Curriculum Designs (PP1 & PP2)
Early Years Education (EYE) lays the foundation for a child’s lifelong learning, focusing on foundational literacy, numeracy, psychomotor skills, and socio-emotional development. Under KICD’s rationalized framework, pre-primary education is structured into five integrated learning activity areas: Language Activities, Mathematical Activities, Environmental Activities, Psychomotor and Creative Activities, and Religious Education Activities (CRE, IRE, and HRE).
These designs emphasize play-based learning, hands-on exploration, and social interaction. Click the buttons below to open the dedicated download pages for PP1 and PP2 subject designs:
Lower Primary Rationalized Curriculum Designs (Grade 1–3)
Lower Primary encompasses Grades 1, 2, and 3, focusing on foundational literacy, numeracy, and environmental awareness. In line with the Presidential Working Party on Education Reform (PWPER) recommendations, KICD streamlined learning areas at this level to prevent learner fatigue while strengthening core competencies. Subjects covered include:
- Indigenous Language Activities: Nurtures mother tongue communication, storytelling, and cultural appreciation.
- Kiswahili Language Activities / Kenya Sign Language (KSL): Develops listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.
- English Language Activities: Strengthens phonetic awareness, vocabulary, and basic composition.
- Mathematical Activities: Builds number sense, basic operations, measurement, and geometry.
- Environmental Activities: Fosters scientific curiosity, hygiene, nutrition, and environmental stewardship.
- Creative Activities: Integrates art, craft, music, and psychomotor movement.
- Religious Education Activities (CRE, IRE, HRE): Instills moral values, personal ethics, and mutual respect.
- Pastoral Programme of Instruction (PPI): 1 session per week dedicated to spiritual nourishment.
Each grade syllabus outlines the expected specific learning outcomes, suggested classroom experiences, and formative assessment rubrics. Access your grade level below to download the complete PDF documents:
Upper Primary Rationalized Curriculum Designs (Grade 4–6)
In Upper Primary (Grades 4, 5, and 6), KICD rationalized the curriculum by reducing the total number of learning areas from ten to eight, integrating related concepts, and setting the instructional timetable to 35 lessons per week. This structure gives teachers adequate time for interactive discussions and practical tasks. The eight rationalized subjects are:
- English: 5 lessons per week, covering listening, speaking, reading fluency, and structured writing.
- Kiswahili / Kenya Sign Language: 4 lessons per week, focusing on functional grammar and creative expression.
- Mathematics: 5 lessons per week, covering numbers, algebra, measurements, geometry, and data handling.
- Science and Technology: 4 lessons per week, emphasizing scientific inquiry, digital literacy, and practical experimentation.
- Agriculture and Nutrition: 4 lessons per week (formed by integrating former Agriculture and Home Science syllabuses).
- Social Studies: 3 lessons per week, building citizenship, history, geography, and governance awareness.
- Creative Arts: 4 lessons per week (combining art & craft, music, and physical education).
- Religious Education (CRE / IRE / HRE): 3 lessons per week, reinforcing ethical principles and community values.
- Pastoral Programme of Instruction (PPI): 1 lesson per week.
Each Upper Primary syllabus provides clear sub-strands, specific learning outcomes, and assessment descriptors that guide the preparation of termly schemes of work. Click your grade below to access the full curriculum booklets:
Junior Secondary School Curriculum Designs (Grade 7–9)
Junior Secondary School (Grades 7, 8, and 9) provides a broad-based educational bridge connecting primary education to specialized senior secondary pathways. Following the rationalization of CBE learning areas, the Ministry of Education streamlined Junior School from fourteen subjects down to nine core subjects, distributed across 40 lessons per week:
- English: 5 lessons per week, focusing on advanced comprehension, literary analysis, and formal communication.
- Kiswahili / Kenya Sign Language: 4 lessons per week, covering grammar (sarufi), vocabulary (msamiati), and written composition (insha).
- Mathematics: 5 lessons per week, developing algebraic reasoning, geometry, probability, and statistics.
- Integrated Science: 5 lessons per week, combining foundational concepts of physics, chemistry, biology, and laboratory experiments.
- Social Studies: 4 lessons per week, exploring physical geography, national history, democratic processes, and life skills.
- Pre-Technical Studies: 4 lessons per week, introducing technical drawing, materials processing, business enterprise, and computer science.
- Agriculture and Nutrition: 4 lessons per week, emphasizing crop and livestock management, food preservation, and nutrition.
- Creative Arts and Sports: 5 lessons per week, integrating visual arts, performing arts, physical education, and athletic skills.
- Religious Education (CRE / IRE / HRE): 3 lessons per week, nurturing moral uprightness and social responsibility.
- Pastoral Programme of Instruction (PPI): 1 lesson per week.
These rationalized designs align directly with the Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA) framework. Select your grade below to download the official curriculum designs for your learning areas:
Senior Secondary School Curriculum Designs (Grade 10–12)
Senior School represents the specialization phase of Competency-Based Education, welcoming its pioneer cohort into Grade 10 in 2026. At Senior School (Grades 10, 11, and 12), students choose specific career pathways tailored to their abilities, talents, and career ambitions. The curriculum is organized into three distinct pathways:
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Pathway: Encompasses pure sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Biology), applied sciences (Agriculture, Computer Studies), technical studies, and advanced mathematics.
- Social Sciences (Humanities) Pathway: Covers languages and literature (English, Kiswahili, Literature in English, Fasihi ya Kiswahili, foreign languages), history and citizenship, geography, religious studies, and business studies.
- Arts and Sports Science Pathway: Caters to learners pursuing performing arts (music, dance, theatre arts), visual arts (fine art, design), and sports science (physical education, athletic coaching).
KICD has published the official curriculum designs for Grade 10, detailing both the compulsory core subjects and specialized pathway electives. Click below to view and download the complete Grade 10 syllabus documents:
Diploma in Teacher Education Curriculum Designs (DPTE & DECTE)
To train educators capable of delivering competency-based pedagogy effectively, the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development developed dedicated teacher education syllabuses for Teacher Training Colleges (TTCs). These programmes equip teacher trainees with practical pedagogical approaches, assessment rubrics, and inclusive classroom management strategies:
- Diploma in Primary Teacher Education (DPTE): Prepares trainees to teach all learning areas in Lower and Upper Primary schools with competency-based methods and practical practicums.
- Diploma in Early Childhood Teacher Education (DECTE): Designed specifically for infant and pre-primary education, child development, and play-based pedagogical models.
- Diploma in Secondary Teacher Education (DSTE): Focuses on specialized subject training and instructional design for Junior and Senior Secondary school levels.
Official curriculum designs for teacher colleges can be downloaded from our teacher resources directory or directly via the official KICD DPTE portal.
Special Needs Education (SNE) Curriculum Designs
Kenya’s Competency-Based Education curriculum is designed to ensure equitable access to quality education for every learner. KICD has developed adapted and specialized curriculum designs across two main frameworks:
- Age-Based Adapted Curriculum: Designed for learners who follow the regular curriculum with specific accommodations, including adaptations for learners with Visual Impairment (VI), Hearing Impairment (HI), and Physical Disabilities (PD).
- Stage-Based Curriculum: Structured for learners with intellectual disabilities, autism, and multiple disabilities. Rather than following regular grade progressions, these learners advance through developmental stages: Foundation, Intermediate, Pre-Vocational, and Vocational levels, emphasizing independent living skills and functional literacy.
What Are KICD Rationalized Curriculum Designs?
A curriculum design is Kenya’s official statutory guideline published by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development. It sets out the national educational goals, specific learning outcomes, scope of subject content, suggested pedagogical approaches, and formative assessment modes for every grade level in Kenyan schools.
Following nationwide stakeholder reviews and recommendations from the Presidential Working Party on Education Reform (PWPER), KICD rationalized the Competency-Based Curriculum to address curriculum overload and reduce the number of learning areas while safeguarding educational standards. The rationalized framework introduced several critical improvements:
- Consolidation of Overlapping Subjects: Related disciplines were integrated into single, cohesive subjects (e.g., merging Agriculture with Home Science into Agriculture & Nutrition, and combining Art & Craft, Music, and PE into Creative Arts).
- Balanced Weekly Lesson Allocations: Weekly timetables were streamlined to 35 lessons in Upper Primary and 40 lessons in Junior Secondary, providing teachers and learners adequate time for deep inquiry and practical mastery.
- Refinement of Specific Learning Outcomes: Repetitive and redundant sub-strands were eliminated to allow teachers to focus on experiential learning, critical thinking, and core competence building.
- Standardized Assessment Tools: Clearer rubrics were established to support continuous classroom evaluation and align instructional records with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) TPAD framework.
Core Components of an Official KICD Curriculum Design File
Every genuine KICD curriculum design follows a standardized pedagogical structure that every practicing teacher needs to navigate when preparing professional records:
- National Goals of Education: The foundational principles aligning classroom instruction with national unity, socio-economic transformation, and global citizenship.
- General Learning Outcomes: Broad competence benchmarks expected of learners by the conclusion of each grade or cycle.
- Essence Statement: A concise introduction explaining the pedagogical rationale, relevance, and overall intent of the subject.
- Strands and Sub-Strands: The primary thematic units and topics that organize subject content across the school terms.
- Specific Learning Outcomes (SLOs): Clear, observable, and measurable statements describing what the learner should achieve by the end of each sub-strand.
- Suggested Learning Experiences: Hands-on, learner-centered classroom and outdoor activities designed to cultivate competencies.
- Key Inquiry Questions (KIQs): Thought-provoking questions that stimulate curiosity, initiate discussions, and guide lesson delivery.
- Core Competencies: The deliberate integration of the seven CBC core competencies: Communication and Collaboration, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving, Imagination and Creativity, Citizenship, Digital Literacy, Learning to Learn, and Self-Efficacy.
- Values and Pertinent & Contemporary Issues (PCIs): Deliberate inclusion of national values (integrity, respect, patriotism) and cross-cutting issues like environmental conservation, financial literacy, and health education.
- Suggested Assessment Rubrics: Standardized four-tier evaluation descriptors: Exceeding Expectations (Level 4), Meeting Expectations (Level 3), Approaching Expectations (Level 2), and Below Expectations (Level 1).
- Recommended Learning Resources: Guidance on textbooks, reference materials, and instructional aids approved in the official KICD Orange Book catalogue.
How to Download Curriculum Designs from KICD (Step-by-Step)
Teachers, parents, and education officers can access official curriculum designs through two reliable methods:
Method 1: Direct One-Click Download on Teachers Kenya Hub (Recommended)
Teachers Kenya Hub hosts official, unedited KICD PDF documents with immediate access, zero registration requirements, and organized grade directories:
- Navigate to the Quick-Access Grade Table at the top of this page.
- Select your required grade level (e.g., PP1, Grade 4, Grade 7, or Grade 10).
- Locate your specific subject on the grade page (e.g., Mathematics, Integrated Science, Creative Arts).
- Click the Download PDF button to save the official syllabus file directly to your smartphone, tablet, or computer.
Method 2: Accessing the Official KICD Website and Portal
You can also download curriculum materials directly from the official KICD institutional portal:
- Visit the official KICD portal at
https://kicd.ac.ke/. - In the main navigation bar, hover over Curriculum Materials or CBC Materials.
- Click on Curriculum Designs from the dropdown menu.
- Filter the list by your school level (Early Years Education, Primary Education, Junior School, Senior School, or Teacher Education).
- Select your subject design and click download to obtain the official document.
How Curriculum Designs Guide Schemes of Work, Lesson Plans & Notes
In Competency-Based Education, professional teacher records follow a structured instructional hierarchy where the curriculum design serves as the central statutory authority:
- Curriculum Design (Statutory Syllabus): Issued by KICD, this master document defines the learning strands, specific outcomes, and lesson allocations for the entire academic year.
- Schemes of Work (Termly Instructional Plan): Prepared by the classroom teacher, this breaks down the curriculum design into manageable weekly and daily teaching units. Download termly templates and samples from our Schemes of Work Pillar Hub.
- Lesson Plans (Daily Teaching Guide): Outlines the specific learning steps, classroom experiences, and formative assessment activities for a single 40-minute lesson. Access compliant formats from our CBC Lesson Plans Hub.
- Lesson Notes (Subject Content Summaries): Provides structured lesson content, illustrations, and revision questions to support effective classroom delivery. Download verified materials from our Rationalised CBE Lesson Notes Hub.
- Records of Work Covered (Accountability Tool): A weekly log verifying the specific strands and learning outcomes taught against the scheme of work. Access standardized templates in our Records of Work Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions About KICD Curriculum Designs
What do teachers mean when they talk about KICD curriculum designs?
KICD curriculum designs are the official statutory syllabus documents prepared by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development. They specify the national goals of education, learning outcomes, subject strands, suggested learning experiences, key inquiry questions, and assessment criteria for each grade level in Kenya’s Competency-Based Education (CBE) system.
How are curriculum designs different from schemes of work and lesson plans?
A curriculum design is a long-term national syllabus created by KICD for an entire grade level. A scheme of work is a termly and weekly teaching plan derived directly from the curriculum design by the classroom teacher. A lesson plan is a detailed 40-minute blueprint detailing the introduction, lesson development, and conclusion for a single class.
Are KICD curriculum designs compulsory for private schools in Kenya?
Yes. Under Ministry of Education regulations, all registered basic education institutions in Kenya—whether public, private, or faith-based—must implement the approved KICD curriculum designs to maintain uniformity in national learning standards and examination readiness.
Are KICD curriculum designs free to download on Teachers Kenya Hub?
Yes. You can download all official KICD rationalized curriculum design PDFs for PP1 through Grade 10 completely free on Teachers Kenya Hub with zero registration or payment required.
Are these curriculum designs up to date with the latest 2026 KICD rationalization?
Yes. All curriculum design documents published on Teachers Kenya Hub incorporate the latest rationalization guidelines approved by KICD and the Ministry of Education, reflecting the 8 learning areas in Upper Primary, 9 learning areas in Junior Secondary, and the pioneer Grade 10 Senior School pathway designs.
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