The directive follows widespread concerns after the release of the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) results.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Ministry said the review process will begin on Tuesday, December 23, 2025.
The seven-day window is meant to address issues raised by families dissatisfied with the placement outcome generated by the automated system used for selection.
Basic Education Principal Secretary Dr. Julius Bitok said the Ministry had received reports that many learners were not placed in schools they chose as their first preference.
Basic Education Principal Secretary Dr. Julius Bitok said the Ministry had received reports that many learners were not placed in schools they chose as their first preference.
He attributed the situation to high competition for available slots, especially in popular institutions, and limited accommodation in some schools.
He added that communication gaps between parents, learners and school heads may have created misunderstandings about placement decisions.
The KJSEA examinations were the first national assessment under the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system for Grade 9 learners.
The KJSEA examinations were the first national assessment under the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system for Grade 9 learners.
The exams were administered in November, and results were officially released on December 11, 2025.
After results were released, the automated placement process placed learners based on performance, preferred schools, available capacity and equity requirements.
The Ministry acknowledged that being the first placement under the new model, parents and learners are still adapting to the transition.
The Ministry acknowledged that being the first placement under the new model, parents and learners are still adapting to the transition.
The Ministry assured stakeholders that dissatisfaction was expected due to the new pathways and selection criteria.
In its statement, the Ministry noted that the government is working to make the transition to Grade 10 fair and transparent. It added that while learner preference remains important, placement decisions must match school capacity and pathway availability.
In its statement, the Ministry noted that the government is working to make the transition to Grade 10 fair and transparent. It added that while learner preference remains important, placement decisions must match school capacity and pathway availability.
Authorities emphasized that the review period will give parents and learners an opportunity to submit their concerns through official channels.
The CBE curriculum aims to provide learners with opportunities that match their talents and future career interests. Under the CBE structure, learners entering senior school select pathways based on strengths and performance. The three pathways available are:
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
Social Sciences
Arts and Sports
The Ministry said learners were allowed to choose up to twelve senior school options during selection. The system then matched them based on performance and available slots in the institutions selected.
According to the Ministry, assessment under the CBE framework is based on several components accumulated over a number of years.
The CBE curriculum aims to provide learners with opportunities that match their talents and future career interests. Under the CBE structure, learners entering senior school select pathways based on strengths and performance. The three pathways available are:
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
Social Sciences
Arts and Sports
The Ministry said learners were allowed to choose up to twelve senior school options during selection. The system then matched them based on performance and available slots in the institutions selected.
According to the Ministry, assessment under the CBE framework is based on several components accumulated over a number of years.
Twenty percent of the learners’ score is drawn from Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) done in Grade 6, another 20 percent comes from continuous school-based assessments conducted in Grades 7 and 8, while 60 percent is from the KJSEA administered in Grade 9.
Officials say this structure allows a more balanced evaluation of each learner’s abilities.
Dr. Bitok said adopting CBE ensures evaluations reflect a learner’s progress rather than a single exam.
Dr. Bitok said adopting CBE ensures evaluations reflect a learner’s progress rather than a single exam.
He said the placement process aims to align learners with institutions that support their preferred pathways and competencies.
Parents have been encouraged to use the review period to raise complaints about discrepancies, communication gaps, or placement errors.
Parents have been encouraged to use the review period to raise complaints about discrepancies, communication gaps, or placement errors.
The Ministry said only formal applications submitted between December 23 and December 30 will be considered. Officials assured parents that genuine concerns will be reviewed transparently.
While the Ministry has not provided a timeline for when review outcomes will be communicated, officials said they expect resolutions to be made before the start of the 2026 academic year in January.
Education stakeholders say the situation highlights the challenges of managing transition under a new curriculum.
While the Ministry has not provided a timeline for when review outcomes will be communicated, officials said they expect resolutions to be made before the start of the 2026 academic year in January.
Education stakeholders say the situation highlights the challenges of managing transition under a new curriculum.
Some school heads have asked for increased funding to expand classroom space, while parents called for clearer communication and guidance on pathway selection.
The Ministry said it will continue working with school leadership to improve placement capacity and streamline future processes. Investigations and monitoring will continue throughout the review period.
The Ministry urged calm during the process and committed to ensuring a fair placement experience for all learners.
The Ministry said it will continue working with school leadership to improve placement capacity and streamline future processes. Investigations and monitoring will continue throughout the review period.
The Ministry urged calm during the process and committed to ensuring a fair placement experience for all learners.
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