The first cohort of learners transitioning to Grade 10 under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) in January 2026 will go through a structured school selection and placement process. This guide is for parents and students to help you understand how the process works, what to expect and how to prepare.
1. School Selection Process
Learners will choose 12 schools based on their career pathways. The selection will be after they do Kenya Junior Secondary School Assessment (KJSEA) from October 27 to November 5, 2025.
2. Career Pathways in Senior School
Students will transition to senior school based on three main pathways:
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) – 60% of learners will be placed here.
- Arts and Sports Science – 15% of learners.
- Social Sciences – 25% of learners.
Each pathway has specialized subject tracks for students to focus on specific areas of interest.
3. Placement Criteria
Placement in senior schools will be determined by a combination of assessment scores:
- 20% from Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA)
- 20% from school-based assessments (SBAs) in Grades 7 and 8
- 60% from Grade 9 final evaluation
4. Subjects in Senior School
Learners in Grades 10-12 will take 7 subjects:
- 4 core subjects: English, Kiswahili/Kenya Sign Language, Community Service Learning and Physical Education.
- 3 additional subjects based on their chosen pathway and track.
5. School Selection Categories
Learners will choose schools based on preference and ranking:
- 7 schools for their first-choice pathway and track.
- 3 schools for their second-choice pathway and track.
- 2 schools for their third-choice pathway and track.
Out of these 12 schools:
- 9 will be boarding schools (4 from the home county and 5 outside the home county).
- 3 will be day schools within the learner’s home sub-county or county.
6. Placement Considerations
- The top two learners per gender in STEM per sub-county will be placed in a boarding school of their choice.
- The top learner per gender in Social Sciences and Arts and Sports Science will also be placed in a boarding school of their choice.
- Learners with special needs who score level 7 or 8 will get priority placement in a boarding school of their choice.
- A maximum of 5 learners from the same junior school will be placed in the same boarding school.
7. Grievances
Parents and learners who are not happy with the placement can send grievances to the Ministry of Education (MoE). Complaints should be sent through the learner’s junior school headteacher who will then forward them to the County Director of Education for resolution.
8. Admission and Automation
The entire placement process will be automated. Learners will get their admission letters online through Kenya Education Management Information System (KEMIS using their assessment number. Both public and private schools will admit students through this system.