Grade 9 students have begun selecting their senior school pathways under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), now referred to as Competency-Based Education (CBE), marking an important milestone 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 in selecting a total of 12 schools based on their individual interests, academic performance, and the capacity of the schools.
“The Ministry has initiated preparations for the transition of Grade 10 in 2026, which includes the selection of pathways, subject combinations, and senior schools,” Bitok stated.
He clarified that each school is required to upload its subject offerings and declare its available capacity, while Sub-County Directors will review the combinations to ensure quality and balance in demand.
Students with special needs are permitted to choose fewer schools that provide the necessary 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 classified as Dual Pathway Schools, providing two.
Bitok explained that the placement process will take into account the Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA), which accounts for 60 percent of the evaluation, along with School-Based Assessments (SBAs) from Grades Seven and Eight, each contributing 20 percent. The overall score will determine student placements in senior schools, aligning performance with their chosen preferences.
The government has assessed schools and identified their capacity to accommodate students based on their declared capabilities and available infrastructure. To facilitate this transition, over 9,000 senior school principals have been trained by the Teachers Service Commission to help 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 serves as a pre-career phase. Our responsibility is to ensure that every learner is placed in an environment where their interests, talents, and academic potential can be fully developed,” Kuria emphasized.
He highlighted 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 noted.
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 opportunity where their potential can flourish,” Bitok stated. However, some parents have expressed concerns regarding transparency and the readiness of schools.
