MoE pushes for 100 per cent Grade 10 transition with data-driven mop-up

The Ministry of Education, (MoE) has activated its field structures across the country, instructing officers on the ground to identify every learner who has not reported and document the reasons behind their absence.

Speaking in Kisumu, the Education CS Julius Ogamba indicated that the mop-up operation will be data-driven, with the ministry working to resolve individual cases rather than relying on general appeals to parents.

“We have instructed our field officers to collect data on all these students so that we can take necessary measures to ensure our mandate under Article 53 of the Constitution is fulfilled,” Ogamba said.

He added that the County and sub-county education officials have been tasked with accounting for all learners who completed Grade 9 but have yet to join Grade 10.

CS Ogamba also announced that the transition of learners to Grade 10 has climbed to 98 per cent after vigorous government’s countrywide operation to track down and enrol the remaining students.

He noted that the figure rose from 92 per cent after the government moved to remove barriers that had prevented thousands of learners from reporting to senior school.

“As of last week, we were at 92 per cent. Yesterday we moved to 98 per cent, and we intend to achieve 100 per cent transition as provided in government policy this weekend,” he affirmed.

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The CS spoke amid growing concern that financial hardships at the household level were threatening to lock out vulnerable learners from the first intake of senior school under the Competency-Based Education (CBE).

While tuition in public schools remains government-funded, Ogamba acknowledged that non-tuition costs are now the main stumbling block.

“We will be able to resolve issues relating to uniforms and school feeding,” he said, describing the two as the most pressing concerns reported from the field.

He assured parents that the government is working on solutions to ensure learners are not turned away over requirements that fall outside official policy.

“Our children will never again be denied education because of uniforms, lunch money or any other levies that are not provided for by the government,” the CS said.

His remarks signal a shift from broad policy pronouncements to direct enforcement, with school heads expected to admit learners first while the ministry works on logistical and financial support measures.

The Grade 10 transition marks a historic moment in Kenya’s education system as the first CBE cohort moves into senior school—a level designed to offer specialised learning pathways.

With the transition rate now at 98 per cent, the ministry’s focus has narrowed to the final stretch—tracing, admitting, and retaining the last group of learners so that the pioneer CBE senior school class begins on a fully inclusive footing.

By Fredrick Odiero