Grade 9 students have begun selecting their senior school pathways under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), now referred to as Competency-Based Education (CBE), which represents an important step in Kenya’s educational reforms.
Over one million students are expected to choose three subject combinations and four schools for each pathway using a new automated platform—selection.education.go.ke—launched by the Ministry of Education.
Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok announced that the selection process will take place from Sunday, June 9 to Sunday, June 30. Students will be guided by their teachers to choose a total of 12 schools based on their interests, academic performance, and the capacity of the schools.
“The Ministry has initiated preparations for the transition of Grade 10 in 2026, which includes selecting pathways, subject combinations, and senior schools,” Bitok stated.
He clarified that each school must upload its subject offerings and declare its capacity, while Sub-County Directors will review the combinations to ensure quality and balance in demand.
Students with special needs can select fewer schools that provide suitable support. “All field officers are expected to assist in this process,” Bitok added.
The CBE framework offers three career pathways: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), Social Sciences, and Arts and Sports Science. Some senior schools are designated as Triple Pathway Schools, offering all three options, while others are Dual Pathway Schools, providing two.
Bitok mentioned that the placement process will take into account the Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA), which accounts for 60 percent of the evaluation, and School-Based Assessments (SBAs) from Grades Seven and Eight, each contributing 20 percent. The overall score will determine placements in senior schools, aligning performance with student preferences.
The government has assessed schools and identified their capacity to accommodate students based on their declared abilities and infrastructure. To facilitate this transition, over 9,000 senior school principals have received training from the Teachers Service Commission on how to guide students through the new system.
Willie Kuria, chairman of the Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association, stated that schools are ready to welcome students. “Senior school is a pre-career stage. Our role is to ensure that every student is placed in an environment where their interests, talents, and academic potential can be fully developed,” Kuria explained.
He emphasized that this initiative goes beyond mere academic placement. “It signifies the start of a transition that will lead these young learners into Grade 10 in 2026, guided not only by their grades but also by their interests, talents, and personal aspirations,” Kuria remarked.
Four core subjects—Mathematics, English, Kiswahili, and Community Service Learning—remain mandatory across all pathways. “Whether a child aspires to be a robotics engineer, a historian, or a football star, there is a place for that dream here. This process ensures that every learner finds an environment where their potential can flourish,” Bitok stated. However, some parents have expressed concerns regarding transparency and the readiness of schools.
