Ministry silent as Grade 9 school selection deadline passes

The transition of Grade 9 learners into Senior Secondary School has hit a major hurdle, with the Ministry of Education missing its own May 20 deadline to begin school and subject selections, sparking confusion and concern among over one million learners and their families.

The silence from the ministry has unsettled parents, school heads, and learners who are looking to the government for guidance on what is a defining stage of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).

Despite earlier promises, the selection portal is still inactive and the categorisation of schools has not been completed.

This delay undermines a key part of the CBC transition plan.

According to the CBC roadmap, learners were supposed to start selecting 12 schools, nine boarding and three day schools across three academic pathways: STEM, Humanities, and Performing and Sports Arts.

The exercise was designed to mirror university placements and, for the first time, include private schools as part of the selection options.

In April, during a national CBC forum, Basic Education PS Julius Bitok assured the public that the selection would begin by May 20.

That date has passed with no update, raising doubts about the ministry’s preparedness.

Kenya Primary Schools Heads Association (KEPSHA) chairman Fuad Ali confirmed that schools had not begun the process but said the ministry had given them verbal assurances.

"We have been in talks with the government and they have assured us that the selection exercise will start soon," he said.

The delay adds pressure to an already tight academic calendar.

Grade 9 learners are currently taking practical assessments under the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA), with theory exams scheduled for October 27 to November 5.

With less than seven months before learners are expected to report to Senior Secondary School, time is running out for learners to make informed decisions.

The confusion also comes amid uncertainty over government funding. Although private schools have been included in the selection system, the Ministry has not clarified whether learners who pick private institutions will benefit from state capitation, raising concerns among parents about affordability and equity.

This cohort is the first under the CBC system to make this transition, and the smooth running of this process is seen as a major test of the curriculum’s success.

However, the ongoing delays and lack of updates from the ministry have led many to question the system’s readiness to support the learners at this critical stage.