The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and Ministry of Education officials have initiated a nationwide inspection of schools. This inspection team includes TSC County and Sub-County Directors, Curriculum Support Officers, and Ministry of Education officials at county and sub-county levels. Their mission is to assess the quality of education, school facilities, and teacher preparedness.
Focus Areas of the Inspection
While the primary focus is on the readiness of Grade 9 classes, the inspection will also cover:
- Sanitation and school infrastructure
- Teacher staffing and preparedness
- Availability of teaching and learning materials
- Compliance with professional documentation requirements
Teacher Documentation Requirements
School heads have instructed teachers to prepare and update their professional documents ahead of the visits. The required documents include:
- Schemes of Work
- Lesson Plans
- Class Attendance Registers
- Progress Records
- Record of Work Covered
Additionally, school heads and deputies must maintain lesson observation forms and class attendance registers in line with the teacher appraisal system. Heads of Institutions (HOIs) must also submit a Performance Contract form to TSC Sub-County Directors as per TSC regulations.
National Assessment Registration for Grade 3, 6, and 9
The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has directed schools to register learners in Grades 3, 6, and 9 for their respective national assessments. Education officials will monitor the progress of these registrations:
- Grade 3: Kenya Early Year Assessment (KEYA)
- Grade 6: Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA), marking the transition to junior secondary in January 2026
- Grade 9: Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA), determining placement in senior secondary
Key Examination Dates
- KPSEA: October 27 – 30, 2025
- KJSEA: October 27 – November 6, 2025
Junior secondary students under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) will undertake their final assessment before transitioning to senior secondary in 2026.
Senior Secondary Placement and Learning Pathways
The CBC framework introduces three core learning pathways at the senior school level:
- Arts and Sports Science (15% of learners)
- Arts: Music and Dance, Theatre and Film, Fine Arts
- Sports Science: Sports and Recreation, Physical Education
- Social Sciences (25% of learners)
- Languages and Literature: English Literature, Kiswahili, Indigenous Languages, Arabic, French, German, Mandarin
- Humanities & Business Studies: Religious Studies, History, Citizenship, Geography, Business Studies
- STEM (60% of learners)
- Pure Sciences: Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, General Science
- Applied Sciences: Agriculture, Computer Science, Home Science
- Technical Studies: Aviation, Building & Construction, Electricity, Metal Work, Power Mechanics, Wood Work
New Technical Areas in Development
The Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) has announced plans to introduce Media Technology and Marine & Fisheries Technologies as part of the technical curriculum.
Senior School Placement Strategy
The Ministry of Education has outlined the placement of learners into senior schools based on their selected pathways:
- STEM students: Placed in former national schools
- Creative Arts and Sports students: Placed in Extra County schools
- Humanities students: Distributed across county and sub-county schools
School Capitation and Funding
The National Treasury has so far disbursed KES 33 billion to schools in two phases:
- KES 14 billion initially
- KES 19 billion after one week
The Government Spokesperson, Isaac Mwaura, assured school heads that the remaining KES 15 billion for this term will be released soon. This follows concerns from the Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA), which had warned about possible school closures due to funding delays.
Conclusion
The nationwide inspection by TSC and the Ministry of Education is a crucial step in ensuring schools are adequately prepared for upcoming transitions under the CBC system. Teachers are urged to comply with documentation requirements, while schools must complete Grade 3, 6, and 9 learner registrations on time. Additionally, senior secondary school placement will be based on specific learning pathways, with funding disbursements continuing to support school operations.
