As the education sector prepares for the opening of the third term on August 24, 2026, Kenya is entering a significant phase in the implementation of Competency-Based Education (CBE). Grade 9 learners will begin the process of selecting Senior Schools as they prepare for the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA).
The 2026 Grade 10 transition introduces several changes aimed at making school placement more structured, transparent and aligned with learners’ abilities, interests and future career aspirations. The Ministry of Education has also strengthened preparations by training school heads and career guidance teachers on how to support learners and parents during the transition.
Key timelines and selection process
The Grade 10 selection exercise is expected to begin when schools reopen for the third term on August 24, 2026. About 1.2 million Grade 9 learners are expected to participate through the digital selection system.
Education officials at national, county and sub-county levels have been directed to supervise the process and ensure that all eligible learners are given an opportunity to make their choices before sitting the KJSEA.
Three Senior School pathways
Under the CBE system, Senior School covers Grades 10, 11 and 12. Learners will pursue one of three main pathways based on their abilities, interests and career aspirations.
1. STEM Pathway:
The Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics pathway targets learners interested in scientific inquiry, technology, technical skills, engineering and mathematics. It includes areas such as pure sciences, applied sciences, technical studies and advanced mathematics.
2. Social Sciences Pathway:
This pathway focuses on areas such as humanities, languages, business, economics, governance and related disciplines. It prepares learners for careers including law, business, communication, public administration and social services.
3. Arts and Sports Science Pathway:
The pathway provides structured opportunities for learners talented in creative arts and sports. It covers areas such as visual and performing arts, music, creative writing, physical education, sports management and related fields.
Reduction in school choices
One of the major changes in the 2026 selection process is the reduction of school choices from 12 to eight.
Learners will select:
– Three National Schools (C1)
– Two Extra-County Schools (C2)
– Two County Schools (C3)
– One Sub-County School (C4)
The sub-county choice is expected to be a day school within the learner’s home sub-county. Private Senior Schools that meet Ministry requirements will also be part of the broader Senior School system.
The reduction is intended to encourage learners to make more focused and realistic choices while helping the placement system manage available spaces more effectively.
Senior School subjects
Each learner will take seven subjects. Four will be compulsory core subjects:
– English
– Kiswahili or Kenya Sign Language
– Community Service Learning
– Physical Education
The remaining three subjects will be selected from the learner’s chosen pathway and subject combination. For example, a STEM learner may choose Physics, Chemistry and Advanced Mathematics, while a Social Sciences learner could take History, Geography and Business Studies.
Schools will also be expected to limit the number of subject combinations they offer to ensure that available teachers, laboratories and other resources are adequate.
How placement will be determined
Grade 10 placement will consider several factors rather than relying solely on examination performance. These include:
1. Learner choice – the pathway, subject combination and schools selected.
2. Merit – performance in assessments, including KJSEA.
3. Psychometric assessments – information on aptitude, interests and talents.
4. Equity – measures aimed at ensuring fair opportunities across regions and disadvantaged areas.
5. School capacity – available classrooms, laboratories, workshops, teachers and other resources.
The system is intended to match learners with schools and programmes that suit their abilities while taking available capacity into account.
KEMI training for educators
The Kenya Education Management Institute (KEMI) is also preparing education officials for the transition. Training scheduled from August 17 to September 12, 2026, will target Heads of Institutions and Junior School career guidance teachers.
The training will cover learner profiling, talent identification, interpretation of psychometric results, use of digital career guidance tools and effective counselling of learners and parents.
A major step in education reform
The 2026 Grade 10 transition represents an important stage in Kenya’s shift from a largely examination-centred system to one that recognizes diverse talents and career interests.
With fewer school choices, three distinct pathways, structured subject combinations and greater emphasis on learner profiling, the new system seeks to ensure that students pursue education that reflects their abilities and aspirations.
As the third term begins on August 24, learners, parents, teachers and school administrators will play a critical role in making informed decisions that could significantly influence learners’ future academic and career journeys.
