A technical breakdown has disrupted the Ministry of Education’s newly launched career pathway selection process for Grade 9 learners, forcing many schools to postpone the vital exercise due to failure to access the online system.

The glitch, which came just days after the rollout began, has mainly affected rural schools with poor internet connectivity, stalling the selection of subjects and pathways under the Competency-Based Curriculum.

It has been revealed that most schools had to push the exercise to this week, even as the ministry intensifies efforts to educate parents, guardians and teachers on how to support learners during the transition to senior school.

Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok, speaking at ACK Kaplelach High School in Turbo, Uasin Gishu County, tried to calm fears over the delay, saying the process remains simple and manageable. He urged parents and guardians to help their children make wise decisions during the transition.

Meanwhile, the Kenya National Union of Teachers has maintained its push for a 60 per cent pay rise in the proposed 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement. The union wants the Teachers Service Commission to speed up negotiations to avoid any learning disruption in schools.

“Teachers want the employer to begin negotiations on the new CBA as the current one is set to expire in two weeks. Any delays could disrupt learning in our schools. The absence of a CBA may cause chaos,” said Knut Deputy Secretary-General Hesbon Otieno.

The union is also demanding a 30 per cent increase in allowances. Speaking at Ronald Ngala Primary School during the union’s Mombasa branch annual general meeting, Otieno warned the Salaries and Remuneration Commission not to interfere with their demands.

“Teachers need money and we won’t accept anything less. We are also warning SRC against any deductions from our demands. At the negotiation table, we must talk about money. The implementation matrix will be handled by TSC,” he said.

Otieno welcomed the Sh7.2 billion allocated to TSC in the current budget, saying it should be used to promote more teachers and address fairness in the service. He also stressed the importance of having strong policies to manage the transition from junior to senior school.

“That’s why, even as they propose policies involving both day and boarding wings, and as they plan how to bring together students from different backgrounds into one compound, these factors must be closely examined to inform sound policy decisions,” said Otieno.