On Friday, December 19, 2025, the Ministry of Education (MoE) released the results of the Grade 10 placement process. They are expected to report to Senior Schools on January 12, 2026. Somewhat, there were Grade 9 students who were pleased with the placement outcome. Conversely, some were crestfallen because they missed their preferred Senior Schools. Maybe the wrong placements were due to high competition, limited slots at popular schools, and miscommunication among parents, learners, and school heads. Or mismatches between selected pathways and assessment outcomes.
Firstly, in case there is a Grade 9 student or parent not comfortable with the placement, the good news is, there is a provision for revision as spelt out in the Guidelines for Selection and Placement for Learners to Senior Schools (2025). MoE also intends to provide a list of Senior Schools with vacancies, categorised by pathway and cluster. There is a 7-day window (December 23rd to 30th, 2025) for review and revision. The exercise should uphold merit, equity, fairness and transparency. More importantly, it should address concerns from Grade 9 candidates who are allocated to schools far from home or to pathways they deem fit and appropriate for them.
Secondly, for Grade 9 students who are uncomfortable about the placement, it will be foolhardy for their parents to download admission letters. Such a step will be a nod of acceptance to report to such schools on admission day. Therefore, it is wise for Grade 9 students and parents to take time, come to terms with the outcome, and cope with it.
Thirdly, Grade 9 students will only be given one chance for revision. No wonder it is important to think about it. Senior School (Grades 10-12) is a specialisation or pre-career stage for ages 15 to 17. No wonder they are offering 3 Career Pathways. So, every Grade 9 student must know that, when it comes to career choices, their parents, teachers, and career educators like the writer of this good guide can only advise. Above all, it is theirs to decide.
Consequently, as Grade 9 students show interest in some Senior Schools during their revision exercise, they should be acutely aware that some Senior Schools are categorised as Pre-Selection. So, haply, they may miss chances in such Senior Schools in case they opt for them. These are schools started for specific purposes. Grade 9 candidates are expected to choose such schools during the registration process in Junior School. Names of learners pre-selected are submitted to MoE for the avoidance of double selection. Learners selected under this criterion are assigned the status of “Pre-Select.” Some of those schools with preferred percentages of admission of special groups include: Starehe Boys’ Centre and School (100%), Starehe Girls’ Centre (100%), Moi Forces Academy-Nairobi (80%), Moi Forces Academy-Lanet (80%), Utumishi Boys Academy (80%), Utumishi Girls Academy (80%), Koelel Forces Academy (50%), Uzalendo Academy (50%) and Moi Tea Girls School (40%).
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Additionally, Grade 9 students who are unhappy about the placements will access success in their online transfers if they adhere to the set raft of guidelines. The ministerial directive is that the review will be guided by an automated system, matching preferences to learners’ performance, and availability of slots in schools. This is sensible because placements abuts on pathway strength, but not aggregated total scores. Advisedly, transfer requests must be done formally; submitted digitally through the Head of Junior School using the student’s unique KJSEA assessment number. Approval will depend on the learner’s preferences, preferred pathway and capacities in Senior Schools. Before the parent places a request, the desired Senior School must first declare the available slots through its respective County Director of Education (CDE) or Sub-County Director of Education (SCDE). The KJSEA result slip will be required as credible proof of the assessment results. Likewise, Grade 9 parents will be able to obtain birth certificates to verify identity when updating students’ profiles, as well as a formal transfer request. Once approved, MoE will issue joining instructions online. Senior Schools are strictly prohibited from issuing printed letters for replacement cases or treating them as a cash cow. All approvals will be updated in the Kenya Education Management Information System (KEMIS).
Moreover, it is pointless to reject a particular Senior School. Our predilection for a few popular schools in the country is misplaced. The new education dispensation strives to debunk this falsehood. Therefore, it is important to find out more about the Senior School from credible sources. It is misguided to gauge the Senior School based on emotions, guesswork, lies, propaganda, and hearsay, percolating from the gutter, the yellow press, or some scandalous social sites. Advisably, read and research about the school on their official websites. You can also seek the opinions of people like us who know more about all the schools in Kenya.
Actually, when choosing a good school, do not be hell-bent on securing chances only in some overrated, popular schools. We erroneously think that students can only see and seize their dream careers in some specific schools. Yet, places do not make people, but people make places. A lizard in Africa cannot be a crocodile in America. Some popular schools we jostle to join may lack the specific facilities that match the preferred career pathway. In my opinion, as a penman, the focus should not be on elite schools, but more on pathway suitability. This justifies acceptance to settle in a certain C2 or C3 Senior School. Instead of the Grade 9 parent doing everything in the world for the son or daughter to secure the highly coveted, but limited chances, in some C1 Senior School.
Finally, maybe, my next write-up on Grade 9 transition will assist you to see some sense. In case you ask me to guide you to a good school, I will not focus on the popularity of schools in Kenya. In lieu, I will think about a vast array of fascinating factors such as the school history, leadership, tradition, culture, infrastructure, programmes and practices. Quality of teaching and learning. Palpable presence puissant of learner-support programmes (LSPs).
By Victor Ochieng’
Victor Ochieng is a career educator. For more guidance and advice, call or WhatsApp: 0704420232
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