Research Paper · 2025
Expanding Access, Equity and Inclusion in Education
Status, Challenges and Opportunities in Competency Based Curriculum
By Dr. Eunice Nduta Maina
Abstract
Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) is learning based on the needs and potential of individual learners within a flexible framework that shifts according to learner demand. A competence comprises skill, knowledge and attribute; CBC is outcome-based, learner-centred and differentiated. This paper situates CBC within the global commitment to education as a basic human right — from the 1990 Jomtien World Conference on Education for All to Sustainable Development Goal 4 on inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning — and assesses the status of access, equity and inclusion under CBC. It identifies the principal challenges of implementation, including resourcing, teacher preparation and assessment capacity, and sets out the opportunities CBC offers for reaching marginalised learners.
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Chapter 1 — Introduction
Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) is learning based on the needs and potential of individual learners within a flexible framework that shifts according to learner demand. A competence comprises skill, knowledge and attribute; CBC is outcome-based, learner-centred and differentiated. This paper situates CBC within the global commitment to education as a basic human right — from …
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Maina, E. N. (2025). Expanding Access, Equity and Inclusion in Education: Status, Challenges and Opportunities in Competency Based Curriculum.
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