The Ministry of Education has released new guidelines for the placement of learners into Grade 10, as the country prepares for the first cohort of Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) learners to transition into senior school in 2026.
Speaking on Wednesday, April 23, Fred Odhiambo, Deputy Director of Education, outlined a detailed placement framework that will govern the movement of current Grade 9 learners into the next phase of their education journey.
Structured Pathways for Learner Placement
Under the CBC system, Grade 10 marks the beginning of senior school, where students branch into one of three career pathways:
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Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
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Arts and Sports Science
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Social Sciences
Senior schools will be classified as either:
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Triple-pathway institutions, offering all three pathways, or
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Dual-pathway institutions, offering any two of the three.
Odhiambo explained that students will select a total of 12 schools aligned with their preferred career paths. These will include:
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Four schools for their first-choice subject combination
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Four schools for a second-choice track
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Four schools for a third-choice option
Of these 12, nine must be boarding schools (three from the learner’s home county and six from other counties), and three must be day schools located within the learner’s home sub-county.
Five-Tier Placement Criteria
The Ministry will use a five-point system to guide placement decisions:
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Learner Preference – Student choices regarding schools, pathways, and subject combinations.
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Merit – Performance in the Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA), scheduled for October 27 to November 5, 2025.
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Psychometric Testing – Aptitude, interests, and talents will be assessed jointly by schools and the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC).
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Equity and Regional Balance – A fair distribution of students across schools to ensure inclusivity and national cohesion.
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Institutional Capacity – Consideration of a school’s infrastructure, staffing, and available resources.
A Shift Towards Tailored Education
This transition marks a pivotal moment in Kenya’s education system, as the Ministry seeks to create a learner-centered approach that blends talent development, academic ability, and personal interests.
The guidelines are designed to ensure a smoother and more equitable placement process that reflects both student aspirations and institutional readiness as CBC continues to reshape Kenya’s education landscape.
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