Parents and guardians of Grade 9 learners have until September 11, 2026, to complete their children’s pathway, subject and senior school selections as the country prepares for the first cohort to transition to senior school under the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system.
The Ministry of Education opened the selection exercise on August 24, 2026, giving families about three weeks to submit their choices through the official Grade 10 Selection and Placement System.
The exercise allows learners to indicate their preferred pathways, subject combinations and senior schools. However, selection does not guarantee placement, as the Ministry will later allocate learners based on their choices, available school capacity and subject combinations.
The service is free.
Learners to choose from three pathways
The first decision for families is selecting one of the three pathways offered at senior school level: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), Social Sciences, and Arts and Sports Science.
STEM has attracted significant interest, with about 59 per cent of Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA) candidates showing potential in the pathway.
The pathway covers areas such as medicine, engineering, ICT, aviation and other technical careers.
Social Sciences includes subjects such as history, geography, business and languages, providing a foundation for careers including law, journalism, teaching, diplomacy and public service.
Arts and Sports Science covers areas such as music, theatre, visual arts and sports.
Education officials have advised families to consider learners’ abilities and interests when making the decision.
Subject combinations matter
After choosing a pathway, learners select three electives while also taking four compulsory areas — English, Kiswahili or Kenyan Sign Language, Mathematics and Community Service Learning.
STEM learners generally take Core Mathematics, while learners in other pathways take Essential Mathematics.
The subject combination should also reflect the learner’s intended career direction.
For example, a learner interested in medicine may choose Core Mathematics, Biology and Chemistry, while an aspiring engineer may take Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.
Other STEM options include Computer Studies and technical subjects such as Aviation, Electricity, Building and Construction, Power Mechanics, Media Technology and Marine and Fisheries.
Check school choices before submitting
Parents have also been advised to check whether their preferred senior schools offer the selected pathway and exact subject combination before submitting their choices.
National or C1 schools such as Alliance High School, Alliance Girls High School, Kenya High School, Nairobi School, Mang’u High School, Lenana School, Starehe Boys’ Centre, Kakamega School, Maseno School, Moi Girls Eldoret and Pangani Girls may offer several pathways and subject combinations, but availability varies by school.
Families should confirm details on the selection portal, including the pathway, subject combination, boarding or day status and location.
After making the selections, parents should review the choices with the learner and download the confirmation slip. The “My Selections” section can be used with the assessment number to confirm that the choices have been captured.
Any portal or NEMIS/KEMIS challenges should be reported through the junior school or Ministry support channels before the September 11, 2026, deadline.
