The Ministry of Education (MoE) has released the timelines for the rollout of the selection and placement process for Grade 9 learners transitioning to senior school under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
In a circular dated July 28, 2026, Principal Secretary for Basic Education John Olotuaa directed Regional, County and Sub-county Directors of Education to oversee the exercise.
The ministry said the exercise will enable all Grade 9 learners to select their preferred pathways, subject combinations and senior schools before joining Grade 10 in 2027.
“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 states.
The ministry has scheduled a series of virtual sensitization meetings for education officers and school heads before learners begin making their choices.
The exercise will begin on August 3 with a one-day virtual sensitization of Sub-County Quality Assurance and Standards Officers (SCQASOs) and Sub-County Directors of Education (SCDEs).
Between August 4 and August 6, SCQASOs will declare Grade 10 capacities in the ministry’s system.
Senior school heads will also undergo virtual sensitization on August 4 and August 5 before updating pathways and subject combinations in the system from August 6 to August 8.
The ministry will hold a one-day virtual sensitization for Regional Directors of Education (RDEs), Regional Quality Assurance and Standards Officers (RQASOs), County Directors of Education (CDEs) and County Quality Assurance and Standards Officers (CQASOs) on August 6.
Junior school heads will then participate in virtual sensitization sessions from August 7 to August 11.
Grade 9 Learners to Select Schools From August 24
According to the schedule, Grade 9 learners will begin selecting their preferred pathways, subject combinations and senior schools on August 24.
The exercise will run for about three weeks and conclude on September 11, 2026.
The ministry said all sensitization meetings will be conducted virtually between August 3 and August 11.
“You are therefore asked to ensure all the officers and Heads of Institutions are informed and attend the meetings without fail,” the circular signed by Principal Secretary John L. Ololtuaa states.
The selection exercise is a key milestone in the implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum as the first cohort of Grade 9 learners prepares to transition to senior school in 2027.
Grade 9 Selection Timeline
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Virtual sensitization of SCQASOs and SCDEs | August 3, 2026 |
| Declaration of Grade 10 capacities | August 4–6, 2026 |
| Virtual sensitization of senior school heads | August 4–5, 2026 |
| Updating pathways and subject combinations | August 6–8, 2026 |
| Virtual sensitization of RDEs, RQASOs, CDEs and CQASOs | August 6, 2026 |
| Virtual sensitization of junior school heads | August 7–11, 2026 |
| Selection of pathways, subject combinations and senior schools by Grade 9 learners | August 24 – September 11, 2026 |
How Grade 9 Learners Will Be Placed in Senior Schools
The schedule comes after the pioneer cohort under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) moved from Grade 9 to Grade 10 in January 2026.
The transition introduced senior school pathways, centralized school selection and placement, and a composite national assessment score used to determine learners’ placement.
Under the senior school structure, learners are placed in one of three pathways based on their interests, abilities, and career aspirations.
The Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) pathway includes subjects such as pure sciences, computer science, engineering and technical and vocational studies.
The Social Sciences pathway covers humanities, languages and business-related subjects.
The Arts and Sports Science pathway is designed for learners with talent and interest in creative arts, performing arts, physical education and sports.
Placement into senior school is based on a composite score drawn from three national assessments. The Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) taken in Grade 9 accounts for 60 percent of the final score, while school-based assessments conducted in Grades 7 and 8 contribute 20 percent.
The remaining 20 percent comes from the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) taken in Grade 6.
On the pathway selection, the learner will select 12 schools for their chosen pathway, which outlines four schools in the first choice track and subject combination, another four schools in the second choice subject combination, while the remaining four go to the third choice subject combination.
Grade 9 learners will sit the 2026 Kenya Junior School Education Assessment from October 26 to November 20, 2026.
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