Confusion over placements has forced the government to allow students who wish to change their pathways to do so in another one week. The Ministry of Education says by December, 20, 2025, parents should have known which schools their children have been placed.
This comes in the wake of fears by parents over the placement of their children and calling for fairness in the process.
The United opposition has also weighed in on the issue claiming that the Kenya Kwanza government has messed up the education sector.
PATHWAYS
Basic Education Principal Secretary Professor Julius Bitok said students joining Grade 10 and whose results do not match their earlier selection will now change to the pathways of their choice.
The PS said most of the schools are ready and is confident that by January 12, 2026 the students will be reporting to senior schools.
However, parents and teachers are raising concerns about senior schools’ readiness owing to inadequate infrastructure and confusion over pathways.
The first cohort of 1.1 million learners under the CBE system of education are set to transition to senior school in 2026.
TOP SCHOOLS
Parents are worried about the fate of the children especially with regard to joining Kenya’s top schools as there has not been a proper procedure of selecting students to the different cadres of schools.
“My child’s performance was in the category of exceeding expectation and according to what we are being told this means they have done pretty well,” said a parent in Mombasa.
Most parents say they cannot plan for their children’s next stage noting that knowing which schools their children have been admitted to helps in planning.
BEST SCHOOLS
A headteacher said the government must ensure that all the learners who have met and exceeded expectations get admitted to the best senior schools.
However, Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka described the placement as a messed grading system.
The students of the pioneer class are also hopeful that the placement system will not be compromised and lock out bright students from top national schools due to the confusion.
