Ministry of Education Releases Grade 10 Placement and Subject Selection Guidelines.
As the implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) progresses, the Ministry of Education has released detailed directives outlining the transition of learners from junior to senior secondary school.
This initiative is designed to align students’ educational pathways with their strengths and career aspirations, signifying a significant shift in the country’s educational structure.
The first cohort, currently in Grade 9, is scheduled to advance to Grade 10 in January 2026. To ensure a smooth transition, these learners will participate in the Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA) between October 27 and November 5, 2025.
The assessment comprises three components: 20 per cent from the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA), another 20 per cent from school-based assessments in Grades 7 and 8, and 60 per cent from a summative evaluation at the end of Grade 9.
At the heart of CBC is its career-focused approach, offering students three primary subject pathways: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM); Arts and Sports Science; and Social Sciences.
The Ministry of Education projects that 60 per cent of learners will opt for STEM, 15 per cent for Arts and Sports Science, and 25 per cent for Social Sciences. These pathways cater to diverse academic and career interests, equipping students for higher education and the evolving job market.
As part of their transition preparation, learners will choose 12 senior schools according to their preferred career paths. This selection consists of seven schools for their first-choice pathway and track, three for their second choice, and two for their third choice.
Nine of these schools are designated as boarding institutions—four within the learner’s home county and five outside it—while the remaining three are day schools within their home sub-county or county.
Placement Criteria and Selection Process
The placement process is directly linked to learners’ performance in the KJSEA. The top two performers per gender in each STEM track per sub-county will be granted placement in a boarding school of their choice.
Likewise, the highest achiever per gender in both the Social Sciences and Arts and Sports Science tracks per sub-county will also secure placement in a preferred boarding school.
To ensure a fair and diverse distribution of students, the Ministry has mandated that no more than five learners from the same junior school can be placed in a single boarding institution.
This regulation fosters balanced student representation across schools, encouraging cultural and intellectual exchanges among learners.
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Acknowledging the needs of students requiring special support, the Ministry has included provisions to ensure an inclusive transition.
High-achieving candidates with special requirements will be placed in institutions equipped to cater to their needs, providing them with essential resources to thrive both academically and socially.
The senior school curriculum, spanning Grades 10 to 12, requires students to undertake seven subjects. Four are core subjects: English, Kiswahili or Kenya Sign Language (KSL), Community Service Learning, and Physical Education. The remaining three subjects align with the student’s chosen pathway and track, allowing for specialized learning in their area of interest.
Modernised Admission System and Grievance Redress
To enhance efficiency, the Ministry has introduced an automated admission system. Learners can now access their admission letters online using their assessment numbers, streamlining the transition process and reducing administrative delays.
To uphold transparency and address concerns, a grievance redress mechanism has been established. Parents and learners dissatisfied with placement results can report their grievances through the learner’s junior school headteacher, who will escalate the matter to the County Director of Education for resolution.
Ministry of Education Releases Grade 10 Placement and Subject Selection Guidelines.
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