Ministry of Education Unveils Grade 10 Placement Guidelines Ahead of 2026 Transition

The Ministry of Education has officially released the much-anticipated placement guidelines for Grade 10 learners, paving the way for the full implementation of senior school under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). Senior school, covering Grades 10 to 12, will begin in January 2026, marking a significant milestone for the pioneer Grade 9 cohort.

Deputy Director Fred Odhiambo announced the placement framework on Wednesday, highlighting four key categorisations that will define the senior school experience: pathways, accommodation, gender, and special needs.

Dual and Triple Pathway Institutions

Schools will now be classified into two pathway models:

• Double Pathway Schools: Offering Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and Arts & Sports Science.
• Triple Pathway Schools: Providing STEM, Arts & Sports, and Social Sciences.

These classifications aim to cater to diverse student interests and competencies, aligning with CBC’s vision of holistic education.

Accommodation: Day and Hybrid Schools

Under the accommodation category, senior schools will be either:

• Day Schools: For learners commuting from home.
• Hybrid Schools: Accommodating both boarding and day students.

Gender-Based and Special Needs Institutions

Schools will also be categorised as:

• Single-Sex Schools: Girls-only or boys-only.
• Mixed-Gender Schools: Admitting both boys and girls.

For learners with disabilities, schools will be classified as:

• Special Needs Schools: Catering to hearing, visual, and physically impaired learners.
• Vocational Schools: Designed for learners with autism, cerebral palsy, cognitive impairments, and those who are deaf-blind.

Learner Choice and Selection Process

Each learner will select 12 schools based on their chosen pathway:

• 4 schools for their first-choice subject combination.
• 4 schools for their second-choice combination.
• 4 schools for their third-choice combination.

Of the 12, 9 will be boarding schools (3 from the learner’s home county and 6 from other counties) and 3 will be day schools from the learner’s sub-county.

Placement Criteria

Placements will be based on:

• Learner’s choice.
• Merit.
• Psychometric test results.
• Equity considerations.
• School capacity.

Schools wishing to pre-select learners must meet specific Ministry criteria. Learners will receive placement results and access joining instructions online via the Kenya Education Management Information System (KEMIS), using their assessment numbers.

Monitoring and Transfers

Schools are prohibited from entering a learner into KEMIS before the student reports physically. Daily reporting will be tracked online. Learners seeking school transfers must request through their junior school heads at least two weeks before the Grade 10 reporting date. Transfers will be allowed once and are irreversible.

The placement process is designed to incorporate student interests, academic records, and input from teachers, leveraging automation to ensure fairness and efficiency.

As the country inches closer to full CBC implementation, these guidelines mark a critical step toward a more learner-centered and inclusive education system.

In other news:National Schools to Offer All CBC Career Pathways Starting 2026

Ministry of Education Unveils Grade 10 Placement Guidelines Ahead of 2026 Transition