𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗗𝗢𝗡𝗢𝗥𝗦, 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗦, 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘𝗛𝗢𝗟𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗢𝗡 𝗞𝗘𝗡𝗬𝗔'𝗦 𝗘𝗗𝗨𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗘𝗦

At Aiducation International, we are committed to empowering bright, needy students in Kenya through quality education. As Kenya’s education system undergoes significant changes, we want to provide our donors and stakeholders with a clear update on how these developments impact our work and the students we serve.

Part 1: Changes in the Education System

Kenya is transitioning from the 8-4-4 system to the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), structured as 2-6-6-3 (2 years of pre-primary, 6 years of primary, 6 years of secondary, and 3 years of university).

Key Changes

• Secondary School Structure: Secondary education is now divided into Junior/Lower Secondary (Grades 7-9) and Senior/Upper Secondary (Grades 10-12). Students will specialize in pathways like Arts and Sports Science, Social Sciences, or STEM in Upper Secondary.
• Curriculum Overhaul: The CBC focuses on competency-based learning, emphasizing skills like critical thinking and problem-solving over exam-based assessment.

Impact on Aiducation’s Operations

• No Recruitment for New Scholars in 2025: Due to these changes, Aiducation will not conduct recruitment for new scholars in Kenya in 2025. This is because students transitioning into secondary school in 2025 are still in Junior Secondary School (Grades 7-9), which is currently housed within primary schools. Because of this, we have recruited an additional 41 pre-financed students in 2024.

The first cohort under the CBC system will transition into Senior High School (Grades 10-12) in 2026.

• Current Scholars Unaffected: Our current high school scholars are not affected by these changes, as they are still under the previous 8-4-4 system.

We are closely evaluating the situation and will communicate a conclusive decision on the level at which we will begin awarding scholarships once the transition is clearer.

Part 2: New University Funding Model

In May 2023, the Kenyan government introduced a New Higher Education Funding Model to address financial challenges in public universities and TVET institutions.

Key Features

• The model categorizes students into five bands based on their family’s financial need, assessed through a Means Testing Instrument (MTI).
• Students receive a combination of government scholarships (30%-70%), loans, and household contributions to cover their tuition and upkeep.

Challenges Faced by Our Scholars

• Unclear Criteria for Band Allocation: Some of our university scholars are experiencing difficulties in securing adequate funding due to unclear criteria and delays in disbursement.
• Increased Financial Burden: The requirement for household contributions has placed an additional burden on families, particularly those from low-income backgrounds who are allocated to higher bands.

Aiducation’s Response
We are closely monitoring the situation and working to develop a long-term solution to support our scholars affected by these challenges. Our goal is to ensure that no student is left behind due to financial constraints.

A Message to Our Donors and Stakeholders
The changes in Kenya’s education system and university funding model present both challenges and opportunities. While the CBC aims to create a more inclusive and skills-based system, its implementation requires significant resources and support. Similarly, the new funding model, though well-intentioned, has exposed gaps in affordability and accessibility.

Your support is more critical than ever. By partnering with Aiducation International, you are helping us navigate these changes and continue our mission of empowering bright, needy students to achieve their dreams. Together, we can ensure that no student is left behind.

 At Aiducation International, we remain committed to adapting our programs to align with the evolving education landscape in Kenya. We will continue to provide timely updates as we work towards our shared goal of quality education for all.

Please refer to the attached communication for more insights about these changes.

Thank you for your unwavering support.
Aiducation Team