Nearly 24,000 Grade 10 learners have had their requests to change senior secondary school placements rejected, as the Ministry of Education (MoE) cites limited space and strict merit-based rules in the ongoing review exercise.
The ministry launched the review window earlier this week through an online platform, allowing parents and administrators to seek changes for learners dissatisfied with their initial placements.
By the fourth day of the seven-day exercise, officials reported that more than 86,000 applications had been processed out of over 100,000 submitted. Of these, 62,000 were approved, while close to a quarter were declined, leaving affected learners to consider alternative schools with available vacancies.
Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok said the outcome reflects the growing competition for slots in senior schools, particularly in top-performing institutions.
Bitok noted that while many requests were successful, limited capacity in certain schools made it impossible to accommodate all applicants.
“By Day Four, we had processed over 86,000 applications. Of these, 62,000 were approved, while 24,000 were declined, mainly due to the merit-based placement system and limited capacity in senior secondary schools,” Bitok explained.
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Learners whose requests were unsuccessful still have options within the system, provided they reassess schools with remaining spaces. The ministry has urged families to make informed choices as the review continues, emphasizing that the process is designed to balance fairness, transparency, and available capacity. “This is an important opportunity to secure a placement that aligns with the learner’s performance and aspirations,” Prof Bitok said.
Earlier in the week, the ministry disclosed that it had received 177,000 review requests nationwide. At that stage, more than 30,000 applications had already been processed, with feedback issued to parents and learners on approvals and rejections.
Officials stressed that the exercise is meant to address placement concerns while maintaining order and fairness in the transition to Grade 10.
Acknowledging the anxieties of parents and learners, Bitok said the government appreciates the challenges of this pioneer undertaking under the new education system. He assured stakeholders that the ministry remains committed to building confidence in the placement process, stressing its focus on making the exercise “as transparent, fair, and satisfactory as possible.”
According to the ministry, the review covers about 9,000 senior schools listed on the placement portal. Learners applying for transfers can select up to four alternative schools, with the system enabling quick applications from any location.
By Masaki Enock
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