Over One Million Grade 9 Learners Begin Senior School Pathway Selection under CBC

 

By Brian Kiplimo 

More than one million Grade 9 students in Kenya have officially started choosing their senior school pathways as part of the ongoing Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) implementation, signaling a crucial milestone in the country’s education transformation.

Each student is required to select three subject combinations and choose four schools per pathway using a newly introduced digital platform—selection.education.go.ke—developed by the Ministry of Education.

According to Basic Education Principal Secretary Dr. Julius Bitok, this selection exercise will be conducted from Sunday, June 9 through Sunday, June 30. Learners, under the guidance of their teachers, are expected to choose a total of 12 schools based on personal interests, academic performance, and each school's capacity.

Dr. Bitok emphasized that preparations are already underway for the transition of this cohort into Grade 10 by the year 2026. These preparations include identifying subject clusters, pathways, and aligning learners with suitable senior schools.

Each school is required to submit their subject options and indicate available capacity. Sub-county directors have the responsibility to review and approve subject combinations to maintain a balanced and quality learning environment.

For learners with special needs, the selection criteria are more flexible, allowing them to choose fewer schools that offer adequate support facilities and specialized instruction.

“All officers across the education field must actively support this exercise,” Dr. Bitok stressed.

Under the CBC framework, students can choose from three main career pathways:

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)

Social Sciences

Arts and Sports Science

Some institutions are designated as Triple Pathway Schools, offering all three options, while others are classified as Dual Pathway Schools, with two of the three tracks.

The placement process will rely on performance metrics, primarily the Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA) which contributes 60% to the final score. The remaining 40% will be drawn from School-Based Assessments (SBAs) in Grades 7 and 8, each carrying 20%.

These combined scores will inform the placement of learners into senior schools that align with their interests and academic performance. The government has already assessed and mapped out schools based on available infrastructure and capacity.

To equip educators with the necessary skills for this transition, the Teachers Service Commission has trained over 9,000 senior school principals to help learners navigate the new system.

Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association chairman Willie Kuria affirmed that schools are ready to welcome learners.

“Senior school marks the pre-career phase of education. Our role is to ensure every student is placed in an environment where their talents, passions, and academic strengths are supported,” said Kuria.

He added that this selection process is more than academic—it sets learners on a path guided by personal goals, skills, and ambition.

“This is the beginning of a transformative journey. These young learners will transition into Grade 10 in 2026, supported by choices that reflect their aspirations, not just academic results,” Kuria said.

All students, regardless of their chosen path, will continue to study four compulsory core subjects: Mathematics, English, Kiswahili, and Community Service Learning.

Dr. Bitok reiterated that the new system offers space for every ambition:

“Whether a child wants to become a robotics expert, a historian, or a professional athlete, this system creates room for that dream to flourish.”

Despite the positive outlook, some parents have expressed concerns over the transparency of the process and whether schools are fully equipped for the changes.

“This is a pivotal stage in our children’s education. We hope the system is fair and free from favoritism,” said Maina Murimi from Murang’a.

Anne Atieno from Nairobi added, “There are real concerns about how prepared our schools are. Many students lack the information they need to make informed choices, and that could lead to frustration or even dropouts down the line.”

June 10, 2025