Following the release of the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) results on December 11,2025 by the Ministry of Education, learners have been placed in various secondary schools. However, some parents are dissatisfied with the schools their children have been called to despite their high performance in the national assessment.
The Ministry of Education has since come out to offer assistance, with the Principal Secretary Julius Bitok announcing that the ministry will open a 7-day review of senior school choices on Tuesday, December 23, 2025.
In a statement, he urged affected learners to contact their Grade 9 schools or the Ministry of Education Sub-County and County offices for help with the review process.
“Candidates are advised to contact their Grade 9 schools or the Ministry of Education Sub-County and County offices to take advantage of this window through their respective heads of institutions,” he elaborated.
Bitok explained that the review will be guided by an automated system that will match preferences to learners’ performance and the availability of slots in schools.
Additionally, the review period will also address the issue of incorrect gender entries.
The Placement process
High competition and limited admission slots in popular schools are among the reasons why some learners and parents may be dissatisfied with the KJSEA placements.
“While many learners have been placed in their schools of choice, the Ministry is aware that some parents and candidates have expressed dissatisfaction with the placements. This is largely attributable to high competition and limited admission slots in popular schools, misaligned communication between parents, learners, and heads of institutions on selected schools, and variances between selected pathways and assessment outcomes,” the Principal Secretary explained.
According to Ministry of Education, the placement of learners into senior schools (Grade 10) is done using an automated system that factors in leaners’ choices, performance, and other considerations designed to promote merit, equity, and fairness in the allocation of available school spaces.
Competency-based Education (CBE) rollout
The implementation of Competency-based Education (CBE) began in 2017, replacing the 8.4.4. curriculum, which was adopted in 1985.
KJSEA results were a first in the new CBE system, which has seen basic education in Kenya go beyond academics to include learners’ other capabilities, such as art and sports.
Bitok empathized with parents, learners, and other stakeholders’ anxieties and uncertainties surrounding the transition to Grade 10, saying the government is committed to making the placement process fair, transparent, and satisfactory.
“We are dedicated to making the placement process as transparent, fair, and satisfactory as possible while taking into account learners’ preferences and the capacities and available pathways in respective schools,” he added.
He urged parties involved in the placement matter to engage constructively in the process as the government continues to work on the new CBE education system to ensure its smooth implementation.
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