Kenya’s ongoing shift from the 8-4-4 education system to the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) has brought significant challenges and opportunities for traders dealing in school-related merchandise. While some have faced a downturn, others have found resilience in essential items.
The Transition to CBC
- New System Overview: Introduced in 2017, CBC follows a 2-6-3-3-3 model, replacing the decades-old 8-4-4 system.
- Key Changes:
- The Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) has been replaced by the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA).
- The traditional Form-One intake was phased out in 2024, marking a significant shift for learners and traders alike.
Impact on Traders
- Jua Kali Artisans
- Decline in Demand:
- Artisans like Kenneth Wachira and Edwin Okoth, who specialize in making metal boxes for school-going students, have seen a steep decline in sales.
- Previously, Form-One admissions brought a surge in demand for metal boxes, but with no intake this year, sales have plummeted.
- Rising Costs:
- Increased prices of metal sheets (from Sh850 to Sh1,200) and higher transportation costs from Nairobi to Nyeri have further strained their businesses.
- Revenue Loss: On good days, earnings from box sales used to reach Sh5,000; now, such figures are rare.
- Decline in Demand:
- Bookshops
- Reduced Sales: Bookshop owners like Lucy Mwangi report a drop in sales, primarily due to the lack of Form-One textbook demand.
- Short Supply: Textbooks for Junior Secondary School (JSS) are in limited supply, further impacting sales.
- Price Volatility: Textbooks for Grades 1–7 fluctuate in price, while high school textbooks for senior grades remain stable.
- Uniform Distributors
- Steady Business: Uniforms remain essential, ensuring consistent demand. Joseph Maina, a uniform distributor, notes minimal disruption to his business despite the education transition.
- Ongoing Demand: Uniform needs persist across grades, insulating this sector from the effects of the Form-One intake absence.
Broader Implications
- Economic Strains: The transition adds pressure to traders already grappling with rising production costs and a challenging economic climate.
- Adaptation Needs: Traders reliant on specific education system demands may need to diversify offerings to remain viable.
- Essential Goods Resilience: Items like uniforms demonstrate resilience, highlighting the importance of essential commodities in adapting to systemic changes.
Looking Ahead
As Kenya fully transitions to the CBC system, businesses linked to education must innovate and adjust to the evolving landscape. While some sectors face immediate hardships, others may discover new opportunities within the changing educational framework.
