The introduction of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) in Kenya has brought significant changes to the education sector, transitioning the country from the long-standing 8-4-4 system. While the CBC aims to foster practical skills and holistic learning under the 2-6-3-3-3 model, the shift has disrupted the business fortunes of many traders who once thrived during the Form One intake season.
For decades, the education calendar presented a lucrative opportunity for traders selling school-related merchandise. Jua kali artisans specializing in metal boxes for boarding students were among the greatest beneficiaries. However, with the phasing out of the Form One intake and the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE), business has taken a sharp downturn for traders like Kenneth Wachira and Edwin Okoth.
Wachira, a seasoned artisan in Nyeri, recalls bustling activity during this season in the past. “A time like now, my premises would be filled with students purchasing boxes. But without Form One intake, sales have plummeted,” he lamented. Wachira’s products, ranging from gauge 24 metal boxes at KSh 2,500 to gauge 28 at KSh 1,500, used to fly off the shelves, earning him up to KSh 5,000 daily. Today, those figures have dwindled drastically.
Okoth, who also makes gutters, buckets, and chicken feeders, echoes similar concerns. He attributes part of the decline to the rising cost of metal sheets, which have soared from KSh 850 to KSh 1,200. Transporting these materials from Nairobi has further inflated production costs, compounding the challenges.
The transition has also impacted bookshop owners like Lucy Mwangi, who notes a decline in textbook sales. “The vibrant business we enjoyed during Form One admission is gone,” she remarked. While senior secondary school books for Forms 2, 3, and 4 remain in demand, Mwangi highlights inconsistent supply and fluctuating prices for Junior Secondary School (JSS) materials. Some essential JSS textbooks have yet to be published, further frustrating both sellers and parents.
Not all traders, however, have felt the pinch. Joseph Maina, a school uniform distributor, reports steady business. “Uniforms are essential, and the transition to CBC has not affected us. Even without Form One intake, we are still busy,” he said, highlighting how uniform requirements for other grades keep his enterprise afloat.
The shift to CBC reflects a broader transformation in Kenya’s education system, but the transition has brought mixed fortunes for traders. As the country adjusts, many entrepreneurs are left grappling with new realities, while others continue to thrive in niches untouched by the changes.