By GPC News Desk

The Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) has released the approved list of Grade 11 textbooks and literary texts ahead of their use in Senior Schools from January 2027.

The distribution of the government-provided books began on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, and will run until October 23 before pausing during the national examinations. It will resume on weekdays after the examinations and continue until December 23.

KICD has urged school principals to ensure staff are available to receive the books during the distribution period.

The release marks another step in the implementation of Competency-Based Education (CBE), with the government seeking to ensure Senior School learners have access to approved materials aligned with the new curriculum.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba said the availability of the textbooks was essential to effective curriculum delivery as learners progressed through Senior School.

“The release of the approved Grade 11 textbooks and literary texts represents another major milestone in the Government’s implementation of Competency Based Education,” Ogamba said.

He said Senior School would provide learners with opportunities to pursue pathways and subjects based on their abilities, interests and aspirations while preparing them for further education, training, employment and responsible citizenship.

KICD said the approved materials cover subjects across the Arts and Sports Science, Social Sciences, and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) pathways.

The list includes textbooks for subjects such as English, Kiswahili, Literature in English, Fasihi ya Kiswahili, History and Citizenship, Geography, Business Studies, Core Mathematics, Essential Mathematics, Biology and Chemistry.

Learners pursuing arts and sports subjects will also have access to approved materials in Music and Dance, Theatre and Film, Fine Arts, Sports and Recreation and Physical Education.

Language books

In English, approved titles include KLB Excelling in English, Oxford English, Moran Skills in English, Longhorn Advancing in English and Hummingbird English.

The approved Literature in English list includes The Master Builder, a play by Henrik Ibsen; The Bride, a play from Africa by Austin Bukenya; The Forest No Longer Cries, a play by Henri Djombo and Osee Colins Koagne; and A Cowrie of Hope, a novel by Zambian writer Binwell Sinyangwe.

Other approved literature resources include The Crucial Interview, Rays in the Raindrops and Senior School Poetry Companion.

In Kiswahili, approved learner books include Mbiu ya Kiswahili, Moran Kiswahili Chanana, Booklyst Shule Pevu Bobea Kiswahili, Kurunzi ya Kiswahili and Kiswahili Fasaha.

The approved Fasihi ya Kiswahili titles include Kasri la Faraja, Kivuli Kilichopinda, Sauti ya Kimya, Ahadi ya Neema, Wema Waliobaki and Wasifu wa Mekatilili wa Menza.

Aligned with curriculum

STEM learners will have a range of approved materials, including Mentor Core Mathematics, Moran Core Mathematics, KLB Excelling Core Mathematics, Oxford Biology Today, Longhorn Advancing in Biology and Oxford Chemistry Today.

KICD Chief Executive Officer Prof Charles Ochieng Ong’ondo said the materials had undergone evaluation to assess their alignment with curriculum designs, accuracy, relevance, pedagogical suitability, inclusivity and presentation.

He said the process involved curriculum specialists, teachers, quality assurance officers, subject experts and other professionals.

“The evaluation process draws on professional expertise from curriculum specialists, quality assurance and standards officers, teachers, subject experts and other relevant professionals,” Ong’ondo said.

KICD has also developed curriculum designs and adapted textbooks for learners in Special Needs Education, including those following the Stage Based Pathway.

The institute, however, warned schools and parents against buying or using non-approved curriculum support materials as official Grade 11 course materials.

KICD said the use of non-approved curriculum support materials in Kenyan schools contravenes Section 27 of the KICD Act No. 4 of 2013 and is punishable by law.

Schools and parents have been advised to consult the official KICD Orange Book, which contains the approved list of textbooks and literary texts.

The institute said it would continue monitoring curriculum implementation and gathering feedback from teachers, learners and other stakeholders to inform improvements in curriculum support materials.