By Benadeta Mwaura - Reporter
Kenya, 31 July 2026 - The Ministry of Education has announced the official timetable for the selection and placement of Grade 9 learners into senior secondary schools, marking another significant milestone in the implementation of Kenya's Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
According to the ministry, learners will begin selecting their preferred schools, pathways and subject combinations on August 24, with the exercise expected to run until September 11. The placement process will affect thousands of learners preparing to transition to Grade 10 in 2027.
In a circular, Basic Education Principal Secretary John Ololtuaa directed regional, county and sub-county education officials to supervise the exercise and ensure that all institutions comply with the ministry's guidelines.
"As you are aware, the Ministry of Education is rolling out the process of selection and placement of Grade 9 learners for the year 2026. This process ensures that all Grade 9 learners select pathways, subject combinations and schools and are effectively placed in senior schools in 2027," the circular stated.
The exercise will begin with a series of virtual training sessions involving education officials, school administrators and quality assurance officers between August 3 and August 11. Senior school principals will also update information relating to available pathways and subject combinations before learners begin making their choices.
Under the CBC framework, learners entering senior secondary school are expected to select subjects based on three broad pathways:
- Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM);
- Social Sciences; and
- Arts and Sports Science.
Unlike the previous 8-4-4 education system, which largely relied on examination scores to determine placement, the CBC model seeks to align learning with individual talents, interests and career aspirations.
The latest announcement comes months after the first cohort of Grade 9 learners underwent the inaugural transition process under the new system. Although the exercise was largely successful, it was accompanied by complaints from parents, teachers and school administrators regarding delays, technical difficulties and confusion surrounding placement procedures.
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Several schools also reported difficulties navigating the online selection platform, while some parents expressed concerns about limited information regarding subject combinations and career pathways.
In response, the ministry has increased sensitisation efforts and expanded digital support systems to make the process smoother this year.
The official selection portal remains accessible through the Ministry of Education's online placement system.
Even as the ministry finalises the selection process, questions continue to emerge regarding infrastructure, staffing levels and the capacity of schools to accommodate the growing number of learners.
Some institutions have already expressed concerns over shortages of classrooms, laboratories and teachers, particularly in specialised subject areas. Others are worried about the financial burden associated with introducing new learning pathways.
Education stakeholders have also warned that many parents remain unfamiliar with the new system and may struggle to guide their children through one of the most important decisions in their academic journeys.
With the transition now entering one of its most crucial phases, the success of the exercise will depend largely on how effectively the ministry, teachers, parents and school administrators work together to ensure that every learner is placed in an institution that matches both their interests and abilities.