Ministry of Education Releases Guidelines for Grade 10 Learner Placement in Kenya
The Ministry of Education has officially released new guidelines for placing learners into Grade 10. The update comes as Kenya prepares to usher in the first cohort into senior school under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) in 2026.
On Wednesday, Fred Odhiambo, the Deputy Director of Education, revealed that the process will focus on career pathways, school categories, gender, special needs, and accommodation types—either day or hybrid senior schools.
Career Pathways Drive Placement
Odhiambo explained that the placement will follow a student’s chosen pathway and performance. Learners currently in Grade 9 will sit for the Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA) between October 27 and November 5, 2025.
There are three pathways under CBC:
- STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics)
- Arts and Sports Science
- Social Sciences
Senior schools will be classified as dual or triple pathway institutions. Dual pathway schools will offer two out of the three options. Triple pathway schools will provide all three
Learner Choice Comes First
Odhiambo emphasized,
“Top of the list is the learner’s choice. This includes their choice of pathways, tracks, subject combinations, and schools.”
Each learner will select 12 schools:
- Four schools in their first-choice track
- Four schools for their second choice
- Four schools for their third choice
Out of these, nine must be boarding schools—three from their home county and six from other counties. The remaining three will be day schools within the learner’s home sub-county.
More Than Just Grades
While performance matters, the ministry will use five factors for placement:
- Choice – What learners prefer matters most.
- Merit – Grade 9 performance will be closely reviewed.
- Psychometric Tests – Talent, interest, and aptitude will be assessed by KNEC and individual schools.
- Equity – Regional balancing will ensure fairness across counties.
- Resources and Space – A school’s capacity will influence final placements.
Odhiambo added that the aim is to ensure each learner thrives in a pathway that aligns with their strengths and dreams.
A New Dawn for Senior Schooling
However, the big test remains: Will every school be ready to handle these expectations by 2026?
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Ministry of Education Releases Guidelines for Grade 10 Learner Placement in Kenya
