Thousands of Grade 9 learners across Kenya will begin selecting their preferred senior schools, learning pathways and subject combinations on August 24, marking another milestone in the rollout of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).

According to a Ministry of Education circular, the nationwide selection exercise will run until September 11, giving learners nearly three weeks to make choices that will shape their transition to Grade 10 in 2027.

The ministry said the exercise is designed to ensure every Grade 9 learner is placed in a senior school based on their selected pathway, subject combination and school preferences.

"The Ministry of Education is rolling out the process of selection and placement of Grade 9 learners for the year 2026. This process ensures that all Grade 9 learners select pathways, subject combinations and schools and are effectively placed in senior schools in 2027," the circular states.

Basic Education Principal Secretary John Ololtuaa has directed Regional, County and Sub-county Directors of Education to supervise the process and ensure the ministry's timetable is followed.

The selection exercise comes as the second cohort of Grade 9 learners prepares to sit the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA), an important stage before joining senior school under the CBC system.

Ahead of the selection period, the ministry has scheduled a series of virtual training sessions for education officials and school leaders to prepare them for the exercise.

The programme begins on August 3 with an online briefing for Sub-County Directors of Education and Sub-County Quality Assurance and Standards Officers. Between August 4 and August 6, quality assurance officers will upload Grade 10 admission capacities into the ministry's system.

Senior school principals will also undergo virtual training before updating available pathways and subject combinations between August 6 and August 8.

Regional and County Directors of Education, together with Quality Assurance and Standards Officers, are expected to participate in separate sensitisation sessions on August 6.

Junior school heads will then attend virtual meetings from August 7 to August 11 as preparations for the nationwide exercise enter their final phase.

The ministry has instructed education officers to ensure all affected officials and school heads participate in the scheduled sessions to facilitate a smooth transition for learners.

The Grade 9 selection exercise represents one of the most significant stages in the CBC programme, as learners begin making academic choices that will determine the pathways they pursue in senior school before progressing to higher education and the job market.