Education Ministry Releases Grade 10 Placement and Subject Selection Guidelines

As the execution of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) moves forward, the Ministry of Education has issued comprehensive guidelines detailing the transition of students from junior to senior secondary education.

This initiative aims to align learners’ educational journeys with their strengths and career goals, marking a pivotal change in the nation’s educational framework.

The inaugural group, presently in Grade 9, is set to progress to Grade 10 in January 2026. To facilitate a seamless transition, these students will engage in the Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA) between October 27 and November 5, 2025.

The assessment consists of three elements: 20 percent from the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA), another 20 percent from school-based evaluations in Grades 7 and 8, and 60 percent from a conclusive assessment at the end of Grade 9.

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Central to CBC is its career-oriented methodology, providing learners with three key subject pathways: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM); Arts and Sports Science; and Social Sciences.

The Ministry of Education estimates that 60 percent of students will choose STEM, 15 percent will select Arts and Sports Science, and 25 percent will opt for Social Sciences. These pathways address varied academic and career interests, preparing students for higher education and the changing job landscape.

As part of their preparation for transition, students will select 12 senior schools based on their preferred career paths. This selection includes seven schools for their primary choice pathway and track, three for their second selection, and two for their third option.

Nine of these institutions are categorized as boarding schools—four located within the learner’s home county and five positioned outside it—while the remaining three are day schools situated within their home sub-county or county.

Grade 10 Placement Criteria and Selection Process

The placement procedure is directly connected to students’ results in the KJSEA. The top two achievers per gender in each STEM track per sub-county will be offered placement in a boarding school of their choice.

Similarly, the leading student per gender in both the Social Sciences and Arts and Sports Science tracks per sub-county will also secure a spot in a preferred boarding school.

To ensure a just and varied distribution of students, the Ministry has stipulated that no more than five students from the same junior school can be placed in one boarding institution.
This regulation promotes balanced student representation across schools, enhancing cultural and intellectual interactions among students.

Recognizing the needs of students requiring additional support, the Ministry has included measures to guarantee an inclusive transition.

High-achieving candidates with special needs will be placed in schools equipped to meet their requirements, offering them necessary resources to flourish both academically and socially.

The senior school curriculum, covering Grades 10 to 12, mandates that students take seven subjects. Four of these subjects are core: English, Kiswahili or Kenya Sign Language (KSL), Community Service Learning, and Physical Education. The remaining three subjects correspond with the student’s chosen pathway and track, permitting focused learning in their area of interest.

Ministry Introduces Modernised Admission System and Grievance Redress

To improve efficiency, the Ministry has launched an automated admission system. Students can now retrieve their admission letters online using their assessment numbers, facilitating the transition process and minimizing administrative delays.

To maintain transparency and tackle concerns, a grievance redress mechanism has been put in place. Parents and students unhappy with placement outcomes can submit their grievances via the learner’s junior school headteacher, who will forward the issue to the County Director of Education for resolution.