The Ministry of Education has announced a new placement process that will guide how current Grade 9 learners move into senior school in 2026, under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
Deputy Director of Education Fred Odhiambo on Wednesday outlined a system that prioritizes learners’ interests, school options, performance, and available school resources. The plan is part of a wider transition to senior school, where students will pursue specialized career pathways for the first time.
Under the new guidelines, learners will be required to pick 12 senior schools categorized by track and subject combination. These include nine boarding schools three from their home county and six from other counties and three day schools from their sub-county.
The transition to Grade 10 will also consider results from the upcoming Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA), scheduled between October 27 and November 5. This exam, combined with psychometric testing by KNEC, will help determine placement alongside other factors.
Learners will choose their preferred pathway from three options: STEM, Arts and Sports Science, and Social Sciences. Schools will be categorized as either dual or triple pathway institutions, based on the number of tracks they offer.
The Ministry says the changes are intended to ensure fair and efficient placement while allowing learners to pursue areas aligned with their abilities and long-term goals.
