The Ministry of Education has sought to assure parents and students of a smooth transition to senior school in Grade 10 with Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), contrary to low turnouts in some of these institutions.
Principal Secretary for Education, Julius Bitok, confirmed that all 1.1 million pupils have already been posted to school, and that the structures are available for all who will join senior school.
Addressing students at Alliance Boys High School on Thursday, Bitok said ministry delegates are working in cooperation with the parents, students, as well as the school officials to have a smooth reporting process.
“Generally, the transition process is going very smoothly. Our officers are on the ground assisting learners and parents to ensure that the whole process is seamless,” he said.
To encourage more students, the PS encouraged schools to be flexible, including allowing students to report over the weekend prior to the reporting deadline.
Contrary to these predictions, some schools have recorded diminished rates compared to those in previous years. This was linked by some administrators to double placements, confusion over allocations, and parental indecision.
In one of those schools, it was reported that with an expected population of 730 students, only 400 had managed to report, with some learners having been allocated to other schools.
According to ministry officials, they have intervened in similar cases and corrected placements that had resulted in pupils going to the wrong schools.
Moreover, Bitok encouraged parents to trust the online placement system by pointing out that learners can validate their school admissions by sending an SMS to 22263 or by accessing through the official site of the Ministry of Education.
He also added that parents who are seeking changes in school placement have until January 16 to make revision requests, with the possibility that highly sought-after schools may not be able to take in such requests since they are in high demand.
The PS highlighted that there has always been high demand for admission to small elite schools, since it has been reported that more than 50,000 pupils applied for admission to 20 top schools.
“It is key for parents to accept the schools that their children have been placed. Every learner has a place, and the ministry is trying to ensure that this becomes as smooth as possible,” said Bitok.
Education authorities made it clear that the Grade 10 transition remains on track, with ongoing surveillance and assistance from the county directors of education, school administrators, and ministry staff in addressing any issues that arise. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to 100% placement and a seamless takeoff for all Grade 10 learners across the country, as the country moves a huge step forward in adopting the CBC system.
