Career Pathways to Guide Senior School Selection.
In 2026, the transition from Grade 9 to senior secondary will experience a major shift with the implementation of a new placement system under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
This reform will eliminate the traditional method of selecting schools based on categories such as national, extra-county, or sub-county schools. Instead, student placement will be directed by career pathways, aligning them with institutions that offer specialised tracks.
Senior schools, covering Grade 10 to Grade 12, will be classified as either triple pathway or double pathway institutions.
Triple pathway day schools will provide three distinct pathways: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM); Arts and Sports Science; and Social Sciences.
On the other hand, triple pathway hybrid schools will also offer these three pathways but will accommodate both day students and boarders.
Such institutions are expected to possess sufficient physical and human resources to support a broad spectrum of learning areas.
Double pathway day schools will cater to two pathways, focusing on STEM—comprising pure sciences, applied sciences, and technical studies—and Arts and Social Sciences. Likewise, double pathway hybrid schools will offer a mix of two pathways, with a combination of boarders and day learners.
The STEM pathway emphasizes scientific and technical fields, equipping students for professions in engineering, medicine, and technology. Those pursuing the Pure Science Track will engage in Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, and Biology.
Distribution of Learners Across Pathways
It is anticipated that 60 per cent of learners in Grade 9 will enroll in the STEM pathway.
The Social Science pathway encompasses a Language and Literature Track—including English, Kiswahili, and indigenous languages—and a Humanities and Business Studies Track, covering Religious Education, Business Studies, History, and Geography.
This pathway prepares students for careers in law, education, public administration, international relations, economics, and social work, leading to opportunities in government service, law enforcement, and academia.
Meanwhile, the Arts and Sports Science pathway is structured to develop students’ creative talents, physical skills, and cultural appreciation, preparing them for professions in the creative and sports industries.
The Arts track includes Music, Dance, Fine Arts, and Theatre, whereas the Sports Science track covers Physical Education, Sports, and Recreation. Career prospects in this pathway include roles in professional sports, arts management, music production, theatre, and fitness training.
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Selection and Placement Criteria
The system introduces flexibility, permitting students to shift between pathways if their interests or abilities evolve. Each learner will select a total of 12 schools: seven for their primary pathway and track, three for an alternative choice, and two for a third option.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba explained that placement scores will be derived from multiple assessments.
The final score will consist of 20 per cent from the Grade 6 Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA), another 20 per cent from School-Based Assessments (SBA) during Grades 7 and 8—including projects, practical work, and theoretical tests—and 60 per cent from the Grade 9 Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment, which will be a national examination.
Career Pathways to Guide Senior School Selection
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