Inside tendering delays likely to hurt Grade 11 textbooks rollout

Fear is mounting over possible delays in the delivery of textbooks for the pioneer Grade 11 class under the Competency-Based Education (CBE), raising the risk that learners could begin the academic year without essential learning materials.

The concern stems from missed procurement timelines and a lack of clarity on when printing and distribution would begin despite a tightly structured schedule that was expected to ensure books reach the schools between May and July.

The Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) floated a two-year framework contract covering the printing, packaging and distribution of the course materials, alongside English and Kiswahili books for Grades 10 to 12.

According to KICD's submission and evaluation schedule, publishers were required to submit their proposals by November 25, last year, with evaluation results expected by December 20. Any appeals were to be concluded by early January, paving the way for submission of corrected copies by February 6.

The schedule further indicates that printing and publication of approved materials was planned to run between February 20 and April 30, with distribution to schools set for May through July.

The evaluation results for the textbooks and curriculum support materials were set to be released on February 10.

"This is to inform you that the evaluation results for the Grade 11 Curriculum Support Materials and Literary Texts submitted on 9th December, 2025 will be released on Tuesday, 10th February, 2026, at KICD-Chui Hall, from 11am," reads the KICD letter.

The release of the results would give way to a review of quoted prices before the awarding of the tenders. Under procurement rules, notification of award is expected within 14 days after the close and evaluation of bids.

This means the textbooks tender should have been concluded by March 3, and the delay has now raised concerns.

Sources within the sector say the holdup is linked to intense lobbying after some influential publishers lost out in the initial evaluation, triggering behind-the-scenes pressure to review or overturn the outcome.

"The process is complete, but there is pushback from powerful quarters. That is what is holding everything," said a source.

However, KICD Director Charles Ong'ondo played down the delay, saying it wasn't prolonged.

He noted that procedurally, they were waiting for a list from Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok, which will give a distribution list to schools and the books needed.

"We wrote to the PS Education two weeks ago, who is supposed to give a distribution list before awarding of letters and that is where we are," said Prof Ong'ondo.

But another letter from the Kenya Publishers Association (KPA) to Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba warned that continued delays could cripple the entire textbook supply chain.

In the Tuesday letter, KPA acknowledges that the evaluation process is complete and that approved publishers are already finalising corrections to their materials.

"The institute completed the evaluation process, and released the results on 10th February 2026. Currently, the institute and the publishers whose books were approved are engaged in the rigorous process of correcting the materials, to ensure that they are free from any errors. We expect this exercise to be concluded by Friday 27th March," the letter states.

However, the association raised alarm over delays in issuing formal award letters, terming them critical to unlocking the next phase.

"However, as responsible corporate citizens who are eager to forestall a delay in the printing and distribution of these Grade 11 materials, we are apprehensive that it is taking long to give the formal award letters to the publishers whose books were approved," wrote KPA.