CBC career pathways are an essential topic among students, teachers, parents, and education stakeholders. Understanding the plethora of CBC career choices is vital to help students plan their academics appropriately and ultimately make informed course choices. In this article, we will explore the various career routes enshrined in the CBC model.
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Career pathways in the CBC curriculum
Based on the KICD policy guidelines, CBC career pathways constitute three significant categories or pillars: arts and sports science, social sciences, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM pathway). Community service and physical education are integral components of the CBC curriculum, irrespective of the path chosen by the student. In summary, the following are the career pathways in the CBC curriculum;
- Arts and sports science,
- Social sciences
- Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM pathway)
- Community service
- Physical education
The CBC curriculum offers pathways for special needs learners to enhance inclusivity in learning. This means that the pathways for learners with special needs in Kenya are well addressed in the curriculum. For inclusivity, BECF provides two pathways: the age-based pathway for regular learners and learners with disabilities who follow the regular curriculum with adaptations and the Stage-Based Pathway for learners with intellectual and developmental disabilities, autism, deaf-blindness, and severe multiple disabilities.
In the lower cadre, the pathways related to integrated science are pure sciences (Physics, Chemistry, and Biology), Applied Sciences, Careers and Technology Studies (CTS), and Technical and Engineering, which are offered in the STEM pathway at Senior School.
Whether you excel in analytical thinking, creative expression, or interpersonal skills, the CBC curriculum offers diverse career pathways in the three pillars to help you pursue a fulfilling and successful career. The following are examples of typical CBC career pathways.
Arts and sports science careers
CBC careers in arts and sports science can be categorized into three: sports science, visual arts, and performing arts.
Sports science careers
Typical careers in sports science include sports coach, physiotherapist, sports nutritionist, sports massage therapist, personal trainer, fitness program coordinator, and gym attendant.
Visual arts careers
Careers in visual arts include visual artist, illustrator, graphic Designer, sculptor, painter, art director, and art teacher.
Performing arts careers
Typical careers in performing arts include acting, musicianship, dance, elocution, theatre directorship, choreography, and musical performance.
Social science careers
Social science career pathways can also be grouped into three: languages, humanities, and business studies.
Language careers
Typical careers in languages include translator, interpreter, writer, editor, journalist, language teacher, copywriter, and more.
Humanity careers
Humanity-related careers include historian, archaeologist, philosopher, ethicist, anthropologist, sociologist, and legal researcher.
Business careers
Business-related CBC careers include entrepreneur, accountant, financial analyst, business manager, marketing specialist, human resources manager, and business analyst.
STEM careers
STEM careers in CBC can be grouped into pure sciences, applied sciences, and engineering.
Pure science careers
Typical careers in CBC pure science include science researcher, scientist, mathematician, physicist, chemist, biologist, environmentalist, and more.
Applied sciences careers
Examples of applied science careers in CBC include agricultural scientist, actuarial scientist, agricultural engineer, computer engineer, food scientist, technologist, geoscientist, and more.
Engineering careers
Typical examples of CBC engineering careers include engineer, technician, technologist, tradesman, craftsperson, industrial Worker, machinist, and metallurgist.
Career and technology options
Typical career examples in career and technology studies include software developer, web developer, data scientist, cybersecurity analyst, network administrator, systems analyst, and user experience (UX) designer, among others.
Matrix of the CBC curriculum pathways
| Pathways | Department | Instructions | Core (Mandatory) Subjects | Electives |
| Arts and Sports Science | The Arts | . Core (4) . Electives (1) | . Community Service Learning . Physical Education . Legal and Ethical Issues in Arts . Communication Skills | Performing Arts . Music . Dance . Theatre and Elocution. |
| Visual and Applied Arts . Fine Art . Applied Art . Time-Based Media . Crafts. | ||||
| Sports Science | . Core (4) . Electives (1-2) | . Community Service Learning . Physical Education . Human Physiology, Anatomy, and Nutrition . Sports Ethics | . Ball Games . Athletics . Indoor Games . Gymnastics . Water Sports . Boxing . Martial Arts . Outdoor Pursuits . Advanced Physical Education. | |
| Social Sciences | Humanities | . Core (2) . Electives (3-5) | . Community Service Learning . Physical Education | . History and Citizenship . Geography . Christian Religious Education . Islamic Religious Education . Hindu Religious Education . Business Studies . Mathematics. |
| Languages | . Core (2) . Elective (1) | . Community Service Learning . Physical Education | . English Language . Literature in English . Lugha ya Kiswahili . Fasihi ya Kiswahili . Kenyan Sign Language . Indigenous Languages . Arabic . French . German . Chinese. | |
| Business Studies | ·. Core (2) . Electives (1) | . Community Service Learning . Physical Education | . Business studies. | |
| Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics | Pure Sciences | . Core (3) . Electives (3) | . Community Service Learning . Physical Education . ICT | . Mathematics . Physics . Chemistry . Biology. |
| Applied Sciences | . Core (3) . Electives (1) | . Community Service Learning . Physical Education . ICT | . Agriculture . Computer Science . Foods and Nutrition . Home Management. | |
| Technical and Engineering | . Core (6) . Electives (1) | . Community Service Learning . Physical Education . ICT . Mathematics . Physics/Physical Sciences . Chemistry/Biology/Biological Sciences | . Agricultural Technology . Geosciences Technology . Marine and Fisheries Technology . Aviation Technology . Wood Technology . Electrical Technology . Metal Technology . Power Mechanics . Clothing Technology . Construction Technology . Media Technology . Electronics Technology . Manufacturing Technology . Mechatronics | |
| Career and Technology Studies | . Core (3) . Electives (1) | . Community Service Learning . Physical Education . ICT . Mathematics . Physics/Physical Sciences . Chemistry/Biology/Biological Sciences | . Fashion and Interior Design . Leather Work . Culinary Arts . Hair Dressing and Beauty Therapy . Plumbing and Ceramics . Welding and Fabrication . Tourism and Travel . Air Conditioning and Refrigeration . Animal Keeping . Exterior Design and Landscaping . Building Construction . Garment and Dressmaking . Photography . Graphic Designing and Animation . Food and Beverage . Motor Vehicle Mechanics . Carpentry and Joinery . Fire Fighting . Metalwork . Electricity . Land Surveying . Science Laboratory Technology . Electronics . Printing Technology . Crop Production. |
Under the Arts and Sports Science pathway pillar, candidates are exposed to a myriad of outdoor and indoor games, such as Ball Games, Athletics, Indoor Games, Gymnastics, Water Sports, Boxing, martial arts, and Outdoor Pursuits. Creating CBC career day costumes would be vital in the sports pillar.
Final word
The three pathways of CBC are Arts and sports science, Social sciences and Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM pathway). The CBC model promotes learner inclusivity with the Age-Based Pathway for regular learners and learners with disabilities who follow the regular curriculum with adaptations and the Stage stage-based pathway for learners with intellectual and developmental disabilities, autism, deaf-blindness, and severe multiple disabilities.
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