In recognition of the central role that values play in shaping learners’ character and enabling them to thrive in diverse contexts, the Government of Kenya is institutionalizing Values-Based Education (VbE) across all levels of the education system. Grounded in the principles of competency-based education (CBE), this effort aims to integrate values such as integrity, empathy, responsibility, and respect into formal, informal and non-formal learning spaces. In March 2025, the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD), Zizi Afrique Foundation, and the Action for Life Skills and Values in East Africa (ALiVE) initiated a strategic partnership to support the systemic rollout of VbE. This collaboration leverages ALiVE’s expertise in the assessment and progression of life skills and values, alongside KICD’s leadership in curriculum design and implementation. The partnership has co-created a suite of instructional and training materials—including VbE resource books for teachers and school leaders, guides for parents, a training manual, and public-facing communication materials. These resources are designed to support teachers in embedding values meaningfully into daily classroom practice and to equip institutions with tools for character formation. A joint baseline study conducted ahead of the national pilot brought together a wide array of stakeholders, including teachers, learners, parents, curriculum support officers, Ministry of Education officials, the Teachers Service Commission, Kenya National Examinations Council, and civil society partners. The study included classroom observations, focus group discussions, and interviews to assess how values are currently reflected in learning environments. The findings informed the pre-pilot phase, which has so far reached over 1,000 learners in 80 schools, including both regular and special needs institutions across 19 counties. More than 400 teachers have been trained, and over 200 education officials sensitized. These efforts have laid the groundwork for a national pilot targeting Grades 4, 5, and 6 in Term 2, with participating schools receiving tailored VbE resources. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to embedding values at the heart of education reform in Kenya. It also demonstrates how cross-sector collaboration can strengthen the capacity of systems to deliver not just academic outcomes, but also the ethical and social foundations learners need to navigate and contribute to the world meaningfully. I would challenge all of us leaders, parents, teachers, learners and caregivers, to prioritize the values and preach it everywhere we go. Let us show it more in our character and speak about it in every gathering we are part of. Prof. Charles Ong’ondo CEO – KICD @polo_raynor