More than 5,000 out of 9,750 senior schools were not chosen by students entering Grade 10 in 2026, raising concerns about school preferences and their locations.
In a statement on Thursday, July 17, Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok announced that the placement process for 1.2 million Grade 9 students was completed in May.
Although there is enough capacity to accommodate all students in senior schools, many institutions, particularly day schools and those in remote areas, were overlooked.
Bitok explained that students’ choices were influenced by the type of school, its proximity, and its perceived quality.
**Preference and Location Influencing Decisions**
“Most of the schools that did not attract any students are day schools located in remote areas. Preference and location are significant factors,” Bitok stated.
During the Citizens of the Future Education Summit in Nairobi, he revealed that the Ministry has classified senior schools into four categories: national schools, extra-county schools, county schools, and day schools (sub-county).
He noted that former national and extra-county schools tend to be favored due to their superior infrastructure and academic standing.
Bitok emphasized the need for a national dialogue on how to optimize educational resources, especially given the 5,000 schools that were not selected.
“With over 5,000 schools not chosen by any students, what can we do as a nation to optimize our resources?” he questioned.
The Principal Secretary assured that despite the selection imbalance, the government is dedicated to facilitating a smooth transition and fair distribution of students in senior schools.
Officials mentioned that awareness campaigns and school mapping efforts are underway to help students make informed decisions.
Bitok also announced that the Ministry of Education will engage in urgent discussions with stakeholders to determine the future of the under-enrolled schools.
Additionally, these consultations will focus on the sustainability of these institutions as the government faces resource constraints.
The ministry is considering merging or repurposing some schools to enhance efficiency and quality, given the uneven distribution of teachers.
A report from the Zizi Afrique Foundation indicated that 65 percent of Grade 9 students are aware of the three senior school pathways: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), Social Sciences, and Performing Arts.
Most students prefer the STEM pathway, with 68 percent of boys and 59 percent of girls expressing interest.
However, 35 percent of students remain unaware of these pathways, a gap the Ministry aims to close before the transition.
The Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) enables students to choose pathways that align with their talents and interests.
