Grade 10 Transition: What Parents Need to Know as Confusion Persists

As the first cohort of learners under the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system prepares to transition to Grade 10, many parents across the country remain uncertain about placement procedures, transfer options, and key deadlines.

The Ministry of Education has acknowledged the concerns and outlined clear guidelines on how placement reviews and transfers are handled for senior secondary schools.

Placement review and transfer process

Following the release of Grade 10 placements based on the 2025 Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA), the Ministry opened official placement review windows to allow parents and learners to seek changes where necessary.

The initial revision window opened on December 23, 2025, with a subsequent extension running in early January 2026. These windows were intended to address cases involving pathway mismatches, school capacity issues, or other genuine placement concerns.

Parents seeking a transfer or a change of pathway are required to visit the head of the junior school where the learner sat the Grade 9 assessment. The request is not made directly by the parent but is instead submitted by the school head through the Kenya Education Management Information System (KEMIS).

It is important to note that a transfer can only be approved if the target senior school has officially declared a vacancy through the County or Sub-County Director of Education.

Key rules parents should understand

The Ministry has set strict rules governing placement changes:

• A learner is allowed only one placement change.

• Once a revised placement is approved and new joining instructions are generated, the decision becomes final and irreversible.

• All approved transfers must be captured in the KEMIS system, and admission letters must be printed from the official portal. Manually issued or unofficial letters are not recognised.

Reporting date for Grade 10

The official reporting date for all Grade 10 learners is January 12, 2026. Parents are advised to ensure that any placement review or transfer request is completed within the stipulated timelines to avoid last-minute complications.

Learners who do not report on time risk forfeiting their placement, unless valid reasons are communicated through the appropriate education offices.

The importance of pathway selection

Under the CBE structure, senior secondary education is organised into pathways, including STEM, Social Sciences, and Arts and Sports. Placement is therefore not only about the school but also about the pathway a learner has been assigned.

Education officials have advised parents to carefully consider whether the assigned pathway aligns with the learner’s strengths, interests, and long-term goals before requesting a revision.

What parents are advised to do

The Ministry of Education continues to urge parents to:

• Seek clarification early through their child’s junior school

• Rely only on information from official Ministry channels

• Avoid brokers or unofficial intermediaries promising placement changes

As schools reopen, education stakeholders say continued communication between parents, schools, and education offices will be key to ensuring a smooth transition into Grade 10 for learners across the country.

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