Competency mapping of creative arts trainers: Identifying professional development priorities for CBC implementation in Kenya's education sector

Background: Kenya's Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), introduced in 2017, represents a paradigm shift from content-based to learner-centered education, emphasizing practical skills and creativity. Creative arts subjects—including music, art and craft, and physical education—form critical pillars of this reform, yet their effective implementation depends heavily on teacher competencies that remain largely unmapped. Current evidence suggests significant gaps between required competencies and existing trainer capabilities, potentially undermining CBC's transformative objectives. Objective: This study aimed to systematically map the competencies of creative arts trainers in Kenya's basic education sector and identify priority areas for professional development to support effective CBC implementation. Methods: A cross-sectional survey design was employed involving 384 creative arts trainers from 47 counties in Kenya. Data were collected using a validated competency assessment instrument measuring pedagogical knowledge, subject content mastery, technological integration, and CBC-specific skills. Competency gaps were analyzed using weighted gap analysis and importance-performance matrix techniques. Results: Results revealed critical competency gaps in learner assessment (mean gap score: 2.34/5), technological integration (2.18/5), and differentiated instruction (2.05/5). Only 23% of trainers demonstrated proficient competency levels across all CBC-required domains. Significant variations existed across geographic regions, with urban trainers outperforming rural counterparts by 34%. Priority development needs included formative assessment techniques, digital literacy for arts education, and inclusive pedagogy. Conclusions: The study provides empirical evidence for targeted professional development interventions. Addressing identified competency gaps through structured capacity-building programs is essential for realizing CBC's creative arts objectives and ensuring equitable quality education across Kenya's diverse educational landscape.