The Ministry of Education has announced the official timeline for the selection of senior schools, pathways and subject combinations for Grade 9 learners preparing to transition to Grade 10.
According to a circular issued by the ministry, the selection exercise will begin on August 24 and run for approximately three weeks, ending on September 11.
Basic Education Principal Secretary John Ololtuaa directed Regional, County and Sub-county Directors of Education to oversee the smooth implementation of the exercise, which is aimed at ensuring learners are placed in suitable senior schools based on their selected pathways and subject combinations.
“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. To ensure a smooth process, the Ministry will implement this important exercise following strict timelines as indicated,” the circular stated.
The selection process is a key milestone in the implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), as the second cohort of Grade 9 learners prepares to sit for the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) before joining senior school in 2027.
Ahead of the exercise, the ministry will conduct virtual sensitisation sessions for education officials and school administrators between August 3 and August 11 to prepare them for the rollout.
The first phase will begin on August 3 with a virtual briefing involving Sub-County Quality Assurance and Standards Officers (SCQASOs) and Sub-County Directors of Education (SCDEs).
From August 4 to August 6, SCQASOs will be required to declare Grade 10 capacities through the ministry’s system, allowing schools to indicate their available spaces for incoming learners.
Senior school principals will also participate in virtual sensitisation sessions before updating available pathways and subject combinations on the system between August 6 and August 8.
Regional and County Directors of Education, together with Quality Assurance and Standards Officers, will take part in a separate virtual sensitisation session on August 6.
Junior school heads will then undergo virtual meetings between August 7 and August 11 as the ministry prepares for the nationwide selection process.
The Ministry of Education has instructed all education officers to ensure that relevant officials and school heads attend the scheduled sessions to facilitate a smooth transition of learners into senior schools.
The exercise will determine the academic pathways and school placements for Grade 9 learners who are expected to join Grade 10 in 2027 under the CBC system.