As Kenya prepares to welcome its first-ever CBC pioneer cohort into senior school in January 2026, the Ministry of Education has unveiled a transparent, merit-based and future-oriented Grade 10 selection system. Aimed at empowering learners to pursue pathways that reflect their talents, interests, and career goals, this move represents a bold departure from the old school of choice model. Here’s everything you need to know about how Grade 9 students in 2025 will navigate the senior school selection journey.

Grade 10 Selection

Kenya’s Grade 10 selection marks a bold new chapter where students don’t just choose schools; they shape their futures. Set to unfold between 9 to 30 June 2025, this groundbreaking process invites Grade 9 learners to pick senior schools not by prestige, but by passion; through career-aligned pathways in STEM, Arts & Sports, or Social Sciences.

With digital tools, psychometric profiling, and personalize subject combinations, the system transforms placement into purpose. It’s more than selection; it’s self-discovery, and it’s rewriting how Kenya prepares its next generation of thinkers, creators, and change-makers.

What Will Different in 2026?

Senior school learners will no longer place in schools just for prestige; they will align to specific career pathways that match their skills and passions. These pathways are –

• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
• Arts and Sports Science
• Social Sciences

From June 9 to June 30, 2025, every Grade 9 learner, guided by their teachers and parents, will access the national selection portal at selection.education.go.ke to make informed decisions about their academic journey. Once placed in senior school (Grades 10–12), learners will take seven subjects –

• Four compulsory (English, Kiswahili/Kenya Sign Language, CSL, & Physical Education).
• Three elective subjects from their chosen pathway.

Understanding the Pathways

Well, the ensures students can pursue subjects align with their natural talents and long-term career aspirations. Under the CBC senior school model, learning is divided into three broad fields, also known as “pathways”:

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)

This is mandatory in all senior schools and includes five specializations; pure sciences, applied sciences, technical and engineering studies, ICT, and agricultural technologies.

Arts and Sports Science

Tailored for students with talent in creative fields; drama, music, visual arts, and athletics.

Social Sciences

Covers humanities like history, geography, languages, and business studies.

What’s Expect Distribution?

This estimation allows for resource planning and ensures schools can support each track effectively. The Ministry of Education anticipates that –

• 60% of students will select the STEM pathway.
• 25% will opt for Social Sciences.
• 15% will take Arts & Sports Science.

How Placement Works?

Grade 10 placement is based on a holistic approach that blends academic performance with student preferences. Key elements include –

Academic Scores

Performance in the Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA) counts for 60%, while 20% comes from the KPSEA exam taken at Grade 6, and another 20% from classroom assessments in Grades 7 and 8.

Learner Preferences

Every student must select 12 schools, distributed across three subject combinations –

• 7 schools for their first-choice subject combination
• 3 schools for their second choice
• 2 schools for their third

Psychometric Assessment

To guide learners in making informed choices, the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) will administer an online aptitude test, helping match students’ personalities with suitable pathways.

Fairness and Inclusion

To promote equity, no more than five students from a single junior school will be placed in the same boarding school. This encourages diversity and discourages crowding of top institutions by learners from elite zones.

Capacity Matters

Senior schools must declare how many students they can accommodate per subject combination. Only options with at least 15 learners per track will be considered for placement.

Boarding vs Day School Options

Out of 12 selected schools – 

• 9 must be boarding schools (4 from the learner’s county, 5 from outside the county)
• 3 are day schools, located within the learner’s home sub-county or county

Top Performing Learners Will Get First Pick –

• The top 6 STEM students (by gender) per sub-county will receive placement in their prefer boarding school.
• The top 3 students in Social Sciences and top 2 in Arts & Sports (by gender) will enjoy similar privileges.
• This ensures academic excellence is rewarded with access to high-quality education environments.

How to Select Schools?

The selection process is digital, user-friendly, and secure –

• Login to selection portal with your Unique Identification Code (UIC) and password.
• Choose one pathway and three subject combinations.
• For each combination, pick four schools, ensuring diverse locations and levels.
• Submit your selections and download a confirmation slip.

Note – The selection window closes on 30, June 2025 and all learners must finalize their entries by then. Teachers, School Heads, and Education Officers will supervise and support the process to ensure accuracy and fairness.

Admission & Results

• Placements will done automatically using Kenya Education Management Information System (KEMIS).
• Learners will download their admission letters online using their KJSEA index number.
• Reporting to schools will done in person and monitored through daily logs on KEMIS.
• Only one replacement request will allow, and only through the learner’s junior school before school reporting dates.

How to Raise Concern?

If a student or parent is unhappy with the placement –

• The issue must first raised through the junior school head teacher.
• It will then escalate to the County Director of Education for further action.
• This process ensures accountability while keeping the learner’s welfare at the heart of decision-making.

Why This Transition Matters?

This new system is a leap forward for Kenya’s education landscape. Here’s why –

• Learner Driven – Students choose schools based on strengths and interests, not reputation alone.
• Transparent – Placements are merit-based and use a fair digital system.
• Equitable – Ensures regional balance and reduces bias towards high-performing zones.
• Future-ready – Aligns academic paths with Kenya’s socio-economic goals and global trends.

What Should You Do Now?

Grade 9 Learners & Parents –

• Track assessment performance seriously from Grade 6 onward.
• Explore career guidance resources early.
• Familiarize yourself with the selection portal process.

Junior Schools –

• Prepare students with career counselling and aptitude testing.
• Ensure accurate learner profiles and records.

Senior Schools –

• Declare available subject combinations and capacity.
• Update their portals with current information.

Our Thoughts

Kenya’s Grade 10 placement program is more than just a school selection process; it’s a visionary step toward building a nation of skilled, empowered, and purpose-driven citizens. With careful planning, honest self-assessment, and supportive guidance, every learner has a chance to step into a senior school that celebrates their potential and prepares them for the future.