How to Check KICD-Approved Textbooks Before Buying School Books in Kenya

Parents, teachers and schools choosing textbooks for Kenya’s Competency Based Curriculum can verify approved learning materials directly through the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development rather than relying on a publisher’s marketing claim or a book cover that simply mentions CBC.

KICD maintains official lists of approved coursebooks for Grade 11, Grade 10, Grades 1–9, pre-primary and other school levels. The current KICD page separates the senior-school lists by grade, so match the book to the learner’s exact grade and learning area. The institute also publishes separate evaluation and approval information for new course materials and complementary learning resources; a publisher’s submission or evaluation notice is not itself proof that a title is on the approved list.

Why KICD approval matters

Textbooks are part of curriculum delivery. A book may be professionally printed and still fail to match the curriculum, age level or learning outcomes required for a particular grade.

KICD evaluates materials before they are placed on official approved lists. Its 2026 evaluation documents include criteria covering curriculum relevance, content, language, learner activities and other quality considerations.

This gives schools and parents a reference point when deciding whether a coursebook is suitable for classroom use.

How to check whether a textbook is approved

The safest starting point is KICD’s official Approved CBC Course Materials page. It provides access to lists for Grade 10, PP1 and PP2, Grades 1–9 and other secondary-school coursebooks.

Parents should compare the exact book title, publisher, subject or learning area and grade against the official list. A similar title or the same publisher is not enough if the particular edition is not listed.

Schools purchasing books in bulk should carry out the same verification before committing public or institutional funds.

Do not rely only on the words ‘CBC’ or ‘CBE’

A label on the cover is not itself proof of KICD approval. Curriculum-related terminology can be used in marketing, but official approval depends on the institute’s evaluation process.

This distinction is particularly important as Kenya expands senior-school learning areas and publishers release new materials for different pathways and subjects.

What KICD looks at during evaluation

KICD’s published evaluation guidelines show that materials are assessed against defined educational criteria. For complementary materials, for example, the 2026 guidelines assess whether language and vocabulary are appropriate for the learner’s level and whether activities are relevant to the syllabus.

That process is intended to reduce the risk of learners receiving inaccurate, poorly structured or age-inappropriate materials.

New materials are still being evaluated

The institute’s 2026 course-material timetable shows that publishers submitted proposals during the year, with evaluation results scheduled for September and corrected copies due in October. Printing and publication of approved materials are scheduled to continue later in 2026, followed by distribution in 2027.

KICD has separately invited publishers to submit complementary materials for evaluation and approval across pre-primary, primary, junior school, senior school and diploma teacher-training levels.

This means the approved-materials landscape can change. Parents and schools should check the current official list rather than relying on an old screenshot or forwarded social-media document.

What parents should check before buying

• The learner’s exact grade or level.
• The subject or learning area for which the book is required.
• The full title and edition of the book.
• The publisher shown on the official KICD list.
• Whether the school has specifically requested that approved title.
• The latest KICD list, especially when buying books for a new school year.

What schools should do

Schools have a greater responsibility because purchasing decisions can affect hundreds of learners. Administrators should maintain records showing how books were selected and confirm that procurement specifications correspond to the approved materials.

Teachers should also flag books containing obvious errors, inappropriate content or material that does not align with the curriculum. Approval is an important quality-control step, but classroom feedback remains valuable when materials are actually used by learners.

Beware of counterfeit and misleading copies

Parents should buy from established booksellers and examine the quality of printing, binding and publisher information. Extremely low prices, missing publication details or suspicious changes to a recognised title can be warning signs.

If a book claims to be approved but cannot be found on the relevant KICD list, the buyer should verify with the school or KICD before paying.

Why this matters financially

School books are a significant household expense. Buying the wrong book can mean paying twice, particularly when a learner later has to purchase the approved coursebook.

Checking before purchase therefore protects both the learner’s education and the household budget. It can also reduce waste where schools and parents coordinate purchases using the same verified list.

Where to verify

KICD publishes its approved CBC course materials online. Parents and teachers should use the institute’s official website and select the relevant grade or school level.

The practical rule is simple: before buying a curriculum coursebook, verify the exact title against the current KICD list. A few minutes of checking can prevent an unnecessary purchase and ensure the learner is using material that has gone through the national curriculum evaluation process.

Sources and verification

Daily Report KE independently prepared this guide from the KICD Approved CBC Course Materials page and KICD’s published 2026 submission, evaluation and approval guidelines. No competing news website was used as a source.