By Reuben Olita -Busia
The placement of learners into Grade 10 (Senior Secondary) under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) marks a major departure from the traditional Form One placement under the 8-4-4 system.
Unlike the old system, which largely relied on examination scores, CBC placement focuses on the learner’s ability, interest, talent, and chosen career pathway.
Step 1: Completion of Junior Secondary
Learners complete Grade 9 at Junior Secondary School. Their performance is assessed through:
School-based assessments
National assessments
Continuous classroom evaluations.
There is no single high-stakes examination like KCPE to determine placement.
Step 2: Career Guidance and Pathway Selection
Learners undergo structured career guidance while still in Junior Secondary.
They are guided to choose one of the three senior secondary pathways:
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)
Social Sciences
Arts and Sports Science.
Learners will indicate:
Their preferred pathway
Preferred schools
Preferred subject combinations
Parents are expected to participate actively in this decision-making process.
Step 3: School Capacity Matching
The Ministry of Education will place learners based on:
The pathway chosen
The learner’s demonstrated ability
School facilities and availability of teachers
Available subject combinations.
A learner will not be placed in a school that does not offer their chosen pathway or subjects.
Step 4: School Categorisation Still Applies
National schools admit learners countrywide and offer the widest pathway options.
Extra-county schools admit learners regionally, while county schools
mainly serve local learners.
The structure remains similar to the previous system but is now pathway-driven rather than marks-driven.
Step 5: Final Placement and Reporting
Once placement results are released:
Learners receive school, pathway, and subject combination details
Schools confirm subject availability upon reporting
Transfers may be allowed where a clear pathway mismatch is identified.
Key Differences from Form One Placement
✔ No ranking purely by marks
✔ Career interest and talent are prioritised
✔ Schools offer different subject combinations
✔ Learners specialise earlier
✔ Strong emphasis on guidance and counselling.
What Parents Should Do
Engage actively in career guidance discussions
Confirm pathways and subjects offered by preferred schools
Avoid choosing schools based on reputation alone, as was common under the 8-4-4 system
Support learners’ talents and interests, not just grades.
Bottom Line
Grade 10 placement under CBC is designed to place learners where they are most likely to thrive, not where they simply score highest — a clear shift from the exam-centred placement model previously used.
