Major Changes in Kenya’s CBC: Senior Secondary Schools to Be Mixed and Mostly Day Schools
Kenya’s education sector is undergoing a significant transformation with the transition of the first Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) cohorts to senior secondary school in January 2026. This shift will see all senior secondary schools becoming mixed-gender institutions, with a majority operating as day schools.
Key Transition Milestones
1. Grade 9 Learners’ Final Assessment
The pioneer CBC learners currently in Grade 9 will sit for their final assessment in junior secondary in November 2025. This assessment, officially known as the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA), will play a crucial role in determining their placement in senior secondary schools.
2. How Placement Will Be Determined
Placement of Grade 9 learners into senior schools will depend on their performance in:
- KJSEA (60%) – Summative national assessment.
- School-Based Assessment (SBA) (40%) – Continuous assessment from Grades 7 and 8, including practicals, projects, and written evaluations.
The SBA consists of:
- Practical projects and assignments conducted in second term.
- Written assessments taken in third term.
- Each contributing 20% per year, totaling 40% of the final score.
3. Career Pathways in Senior Secondary
Unlike the 8-4-4 system, CBC offers a career-based approach with three distinct pathways:
- Arts and Sports Science – Includes Performing Arts, Sports, and Visual Arts.
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) – Covers Pure Science, Applied Science, Technology and Engineering, and Career Technology Studies (CTS).
- Social Science – Divided into Humanities & Business Studies and Language & Literature.
4. School Categorization and Infrastructure
While junior secondary schools (Grades 7-9) were integrated into primary schools, senior secondary schools will replace the current four-tier school system (National, Extra County, County, and Sub-County schools). Instead, placement will be based on career pathways and school infrastructure capacity:
- National schools, with superior facilities, may accommodate all three pathways.
- Some extra county schools may be limited to two pathways due to infrastructure constraints.
5. Role of Personal Interests & Special Talents
Apart from academic performance, students will also complete KNEC questionnaires to indicate their interests and personality traits. This will help education officials identify learners with special talents in areas like sports, sciences, or arts, ensuring they are placed in schools that best nurture their abilities.
6. School Placement Considerations
Under the CBC system, multiple factors will influence school placement:
- Proximity to Home – Most learners will be placed in schools within their regions to minimize travel.
- Availability of Slots – Regions with more schools will offer greater placement opportunities.
- Gender Inclusivity – Single-gender schools will no longer exist, as all senior schools will be mixed.
- Regional Balance & Geographical Equity – Placement will be done equitably to ensure fairness across all regions.
7. Ministry of Education Guidelines
To facilitate a smooth transition, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos announced that official guidelines on Grade 9 transition will be released in March 2025. These will outline:
- The final placement criteria.
- Infrastructure and staffing requirements for schools.
- Implementation strategies for ensuring smooth integration into senior secondary education.
Conclusion
The CBC transition marks a historic shift in Kenya’s education system. With senior schools becoming mixed and mostly day institutions, the goal is to enhance accessibility, inclusivity, and specialization based on student strengths and interests. Parents and learners must stay informed about placement processes, assessments, and career pathway options to make the best educational choices.
Stay tuned for the official March 2025 transition guidelines, which will provide more clarity on this transformative journey.
