Last reviewed: 26 October 2026
Most Kenyan parents who have heard of the International Baccalaureate know about the IB Diploma, the two-year course taken before university. Fewer know that the IB also runs programmes for younger children: the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and the Middle Years Programme (MYP). A handful of schools in Kenya offer them, and parents considering one of these schools often ask what their child will actually learn, how they are assessed and how the programmes fit with CBC. This guide answers those questions using the IB’s own published information.
On this page
The IB’s Programmes at a Glance
The IB offers four programmes. The Primary Years Programme is for children aged 3 to 12, the Middle Years Programme for ages 11 to 16, and the Diploma Programme and Career-related Programme for ages 16 to 19. Schools are authorised separately for each programme, so a school can be an “IB World School” for the Diploma only, or for all three academic programmes. Our guide to the IB Diploma in Kenya covers the final stage.
The Primary Years Programme (PYP)
According to the IB’s Primary Years Programme page, the PYP is an inquiry-based, transdisciplinary curriculum framework for children aged 3 to 12. In plain terms:
- Learning through inquiry. Children investigate questions, rather than working mainly from a textbook. A unit might start with a question about water in the community and draw in science, mathematics, language and social studies.
- Six transdisciplinary themes. The IB says learning is organised around six themes of global significance, which cut across subjects.
- Agency. Learners are expected to take some ownership of their learning, with teachers guiding rather than only instructing.
- Ongoing assessment. There are no IB exams in the PYP. Teachers assess continuously and report to parents.
- The Exhibition. In the final year, learners carry out an extended inquiry project and present it to the school community.
Parents familiar with CBC will notice similarities: both emphasise competencies, learner-centred methods, projects and continuous assessment rather than one high-stakes exam.
The Middle Years Programme (MYP)
The IB’s Middle Years Programme page describes the MYP as a five-year programme for students aged 11 to 16, which can also run in shorter two, three or four-year formats. Key features:
- Eight subject groups: language and literature, language acquisition, individuals and societies, sciences, mathematics, arts, physical and health education, and design. The IB requires at least 50 hours of teaching for each subject group in each year.
- Flexibility later on. In the final two years, students have some choice within subject groups to meet local requirements and personal goals.
- The personal project. In the final year, each student completes an independent project on a topic of their choice and reflects on the process.
- Service as action. Students take part in community service as part of the programme.
How MYP Grades Work
MYP subjects are graded from 1 to 7, with 7 the highest. At the end of the programme, schools can enter students for optional MYP eAssessment, which gives IB-validated grades. According to the IB’s MYP grading and awards page, candidates for the IB MYP certificate must complete eight eAssessments: on-screen examinations in language and literature, language acquisition, individuals and societies, sciences, mathematics and interdisciplinary learning, plus ePortfolios in a language acquisition, physical and health education, arts or design subject and the personal project. The maximum total is 56 points. Students need at least 28 points and a grade 3 or higher in every component, and must meet the school’s service as action requirements.
The IB releases results on 1 August for May examinations and 1 February for November examinations. Not every MYP school uses eAssessment; some award their own school grades instead, so ask what your child’s school does in the final year.
IB Primary and Middle Years Programmes in Kenya
The IB’s school finder lists IB World Schools in Kenya, and only some of them offer the PYP or MYP. For example, Aga Khan Academy, Nairobi is listed by the IB as authorised for the PYP, MYP and Diploma Programme. Because authorisations change, always confirm a school’s status on the IB’s “Find an IB World School” search rather than relying on marketing material.
Regulation may also change. A Basic Education Bill before Parliament would require any institution offering a foreign system of education in Kenya to obtain approval from the Education Cabinet Secretary, with the IB among the curricula expected to be affected, as reported by the Daily Nation in August 2026.
Mapping Ages to CBC Grades
As a rough guide, PYP covers the years from pre-primary to about Grade 6 in CBC, and MYP covers roughly Grade 6 to Grade 10. The fit is not exact, because the IB defines its programmes by age rather than grade. If a child may move back to CBC, keep every report, keep up Kiswahili, and read our guide to switching between CBC and international curricula, which covers year groups and paperwork. For how other international routes compare, see Cambridge A Levels vs the IB Diploma.
Questions to Ask an IB School
- Which IB programmes is the school authorised for, and since when?
- Does the MYP final year use IB eAssessment, and what happens after MYP?
- How is Kiswahili taught?
- What are the full fees, including exam and project costs?
- What support is there for learners joining from CBC?
For IB and International Schools
If your school offers IB programmes and wants to reach Kenyan families researching curricula, a sponsored school profile on CBC Guides lets you present your programmes, fees and admissions process to parents who are actively comparing schools.