Ministry reassures parents on Grade 10 placement amid confusion

Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

The government has moved to reassure Kenyans that the transition to senior school  under the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system remains on course, with learners’ interests prioritised. 

On Tuesday, shortly after the portal for revision of pathways or schools opened, parents shared stories of learners placed hundreds of kilometres from home, often in day schools logistically impossible to attend.  

“It’s painful for my hardworking daughter to be placed in a day school in Homa Bay and expected to walk all the way from Kilifi,” said one distraught parent.  

Jane Kapombe from Kilifi, said she arrived at school at dawn only to find the portal inaccessible. “I had to cancel my travel plans upcountry because my daughter was placed 852 kilometres away,” she said. 

Parents from Nairobi, Machakos, Kitui, Murang’a, Kakamega, Kisumu, Nandi, and Nyamira echoed similar frustrations, citing long queues, inactive transfer buttons, and the stress of navigating an unfamiliar system during the holidays. 

The Ministry of Education acknowledged initial frustrations, but insisted the problems were temporary and have since been resolved. Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok said the government is aware of the pressure on parents and learners and is committed to ensuring no child is locked out of education due to system failures. 

“We had received 35,000 requests from parents seeking to change schools across all pathways — C1, C2, C3 and C4. We assure parents and learners that the government is prioritising the learner’s interest,” Bitok said. 

The PS explained that the initial difficulties were caused by a technical breakdown at the Konza control station, where the placement system is hosted. High traffic from parents seeking revisions strained the system.  

“The Konza team rectified the problems promptly. Officers are on the ground serving learners’ interests. We are working around the clock to ensure no learner is locked out,” he said. 

Heads of Institutions (HOIs) have been instructed to remain available throughout the seven-day review window to assist parents unable to navigate the system themselves.  

“School administrators are aware and are in schools helping parents and learners to address challenges,” he added. 

Despite the chaos, some parents acknowledged that the placement system worked for many learners. 

Patrice Wambua from Kitui said; “For the first time, I’ve seen something positive from the placement. My daughter, who scored EE, was placed in a school and pathway of her choice.” 

John Kariuki from Murang’a agreed: “The method worked for very many children. It’s unfortunate that it failed others, but the system is not entirely broken.” 

Nancy Mmbone from Kakamega noted that for the first time, rural learners are accessing schools previously out of reach, thanks to a national resource distribution formula. 

Under CBE, learners select both pathways and schools while still in Grade 9. Each learner chooses preferred schools across clusters C1 to C4 and selects one of three pathways: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM); Social Sciences; or Arts and Sports. 

Bitok explained that the automated placement system considers multiple factors beyond marks. Assessment under CBE is staggered, with 40 per cent from the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) in Grade 6, 20 per cent from continuous assessment in Grades 7 and 8, and 60 per cent from the Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA) in Grade 9. “This provides a well-rounded evaluation of a learner’s ability and readiness for a specific pathway,” he said. 

Education experts attribute some confusion to lingering attachment to the old hierarchy of national, extra-county, county, and sub-county schools. “Parents are still thinking in terms of the old system, yet under CBE all schools are considered equal, with clusters indicating only capacity and pathways offered,” said Majani Baridi. 

Winnie Mukami warned that communication gaps risk undermining public confidence. “Directing parents back to schools only to find an inaccessible portal is inhuman and shows unpreparedness. This raises questions about the credibility of the automated system,” she said. 

Bitok urged parents not to travel unnecessarily, insisting all requests can be processed online through former junior schools or with the help of school heads. 

The Ministry has opened a seven-day review window starting December 23, during which learners dissatisfied with their placement can request a change of school or pathway. Gender mismatches will also be corrected. County and Sub-County Directors of Education have been instructed to support parents, particularly in remote areas. 

Despite the turbulence, the Ministry maintains that the placement process represents a major shift towards equity. Bitok acknowledged the anxiety surrounding the pioneer transition but urged patience.  

“Being a pioneering exercise, we empathise with parents and learners. We are dedicated to making the process transparent, fair, and satisfactory while strengthening CBE for the benefit of learners,” he said.