About 68,000 learners who sought changes to their senior school placements will have to submit fresh requests after their applications were declined in the first phase of the review exercise.
The seven-day window for parents and learners to revise school and pathway selections is now nearing its close.
Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok said candidates satisfied with their placements will begin accessing admission letters from December 28, marking the formal end of the initial review period. Those whose requests were unsuccessful will not be locked out; the ministry plans to reopen the system in the first week of January to allow another round of revisions.
According to the ministry, more than 343,000 learners responded to the call to review placements. While many secured adjustments, a significant number of bids did not meet the criteria after assessment. By Saturday, 183,000 applications had been processed, with 116,000 approvals and 66,000 declines, the PS said.
Officials noted that most rejections involved learners seeking slots in Category One senior schools, previously known as national or top-tier institutions. There are 262 schools in this category countrywide, making demand far higher than available spaces.
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“One thing we have noted with this revision is that there are a few schools attracting thousands of learners. Some are targeting only about 20 schools with a combined capacity of around 500 learners,” Prof Bitok said, urging families to move away from the old thinking that only a handful of schools are good. He added that under competency-based education, investment is being made across the country so that all schools can attract learners more equally.
Learners whose placements are confirmed will be able to download admission letters in the coming week once the first phase closes. The ministry explained that the review process was intended to help learners reassess pathway choices based on their KJSEA performance.
Officials observed that most applicants focused on changing schools rather than adjusting pathways, even though both options were available during the review period. For those declined, the system will be reopened to offer another chance in January.
The government says the placement and review process is being handled fairly and transparently, noting that this is the first time senior school placement is being carried out through a fully digital system.
By Masaki Enock
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