• In a press release issued on December 21, 2025, the Ministry has advised candidates to contact their Grade 9 schools or the Ministry’s sub‑county and county offices through their heads of institutions to take advantage of this opportunity.  

Starting Tuesday, December 23, 2025, the Ministry of Education will open a seven‑day window for Grade 9 learners to review their senior school choices.

In a press release issued on December 21, 2025, the Ministry has advised candidates to contact their Grade 9 schools or the Ministry’s sub‑county and county offices through their heads of institutions to take advantage of this opportunity.  

According to the Ministry, the review will be guided by an automated system that matches learners’ preferences with their performance and the availability of slots in schools. The Ministry has also noted that errors such as incorrect gender entries will be corrected during this period.  

“We are dedicated to making the placement process as transparent, fair, and satisfactory as possible, while taking into account learners’ preferences and the pathways available in respective schools,” the Ministry said.  

The Ministry has acknowledged that this is a pioneer undertaking under the Competency‑Based Curriculum (CBC), and the Government empathizes with the anxieties and uncertainties of parents, learners, and other stakeholders during the transition to Grade 10.  

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The announcement comes after reports of dissatisfaction from some parents and candidates over the initial placements.

The Ministry has attributed this to high competition for limited slots in popular schools, as well as miscommunication between parents, learners, and institutions regarding pathways and assessment outcomes.  

The Ministry has emphasized that the Grade 9 placement was conducted using an automated system designed to promote merit, equity, and fairness. The system factored in learners’ choices, performance, and other considerations to allocate spaces.  

Learners were first allowed to select their preferred senior schools in May 2025. On December 19, 2025, the Ministry released the first batch of placements based on the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) results.

Learners are expected to report to their assigned senior schools in January 2026, marking the official transition from junior secondary to senior secondary.  

Under the CBC, students will pursue one of three career pathways:  

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics), Social Sciences and Arts & Sports Science.