The Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) has written to principals across the country, through the Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA), urging them to submit updated learner enrollment figures to address emerging disparities in Grade 10 textbook distribution.
In the letter addressed to school heads, KICD Director/Chief Executive Officer Prof. Charles O. Ong’ondo confirmed that the distribution of Grade 10 textbooks began in January 2026 under the Ministry of Education-approved 60:40 ratio per subject, designed to ensure quality, diversity, and curriculum alignment in Senior School.
However, changes in subject selection and learner admissions have altered demand patterns for Grade 10 textbooks in several schools.
“We are aware that the number of learners admitted to Senior Schools for various subjects has changed considerably,” Prof. Ong’ondo stated in the communication.
The Institute acknowledged that these enrollment shifts have resulted in under-supply in some subjects and possible over-supply in others, creating imbalances in the availability of Grade 10 textbooks.
“To ensure equity and accuracy, we are requesting principals to provide the actual number of Grade 10 learners admitted and the number of Grade 10 textbooks received per subject,” Prof. Ong’ondo emphasised.
KICD Ensuring Equitable Access to Grade 10 Textbooks
The updated data will guide a second phase of redistribution to close gaps and ensure every learner has access to the correct Grade 10 textbooks aligned to their chosen pathways.
Schools that may not have received their Grade 10 textbooks have also been urged to notify KICD immediately so that corrective action can be taken without delay.
Prof. Ong’ondo reaffirmed that timely access to Grade 10 textbooks remains central to the successful implementation of Senior School under the Competency-Based Curriculum framework.
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“Our commitment is clear — no learner should be disadvantaged due to a mismatch in Grade 10 textbooks supply,” he affirmed.
Principals have been directed to submit the updated Grade 10 enrollment and textbook data through the official KICD online form provided in the letter, and schools that have not received their textbooks have been urged to urgently inform the Institute via email at bookdistribution@kicd.ac.ke or through the designated contact channels by March 13, 2026, to enable a second phase of redistribution.
KICD has set a reporting deadline for schools to enable swift intervention and stabilise the distribution of Grade 10 textbooks nationwide.
By Joseph Mambili
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