Ministry Flags Non-Compliant Schools Ahead of Grade 10 Rollout, Reclassifies Over 10,000 Secondary Schools.
The Ministry of Education has reclassified all secondary schools in preparation for the roll out of senior school under the competency based education (CBE) system in January 2026.
In a circular issued in accordance with the 2023 Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms, the Ministry has abolished the old school categorization of national, extra county, county and sub county schools. These have been replaced with a new four cluster system, each defined by the school’s capacity to offer specific career paths and subject combinations under the new curriculum framework.
The clusters are as follows:
- Cluster 1: Former national schools
- Cluster 2: Former extra county schools
- Cluster 3: Former county schools
- Cluster 4: Former sub county schools
The classification is available on the Ministry of Education’s official placement portal: https://selection.education.go.ke.
Each cluster has a minimum and maximum number of career paths an institution can offer based on infrastructure, staffing and facilities. Cluster 1 schools will be required to offer all three CBE career paths:
- Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
- Social Sciences
- Arts and Sports Science
Clusters 2, 3 and 4 must offer at least two career paths with STEM being mandatory. Schools with enough capacity can be allowed to offer all three.
In addition to clustering by academic offering, each institution is classified by boarding or day school and by gender (boys, girls or co-educational). Location data and career path availability has also been published to aid ongoing student selections.
For example, Kangaru School in Embu County has been designated to offer all three pathways. It currently offers:
- 14 subject combinations under STEM
- 9 combinations under Social Sciences
- 10 combinations under Arts and Sports Science
Each combination has three subjects as outlined in the Basic Education Curriculum Framework. The Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) projects that 60% of students will be placed under STEM, 25% under Social Sciences and 15% under Arts and Sports Science.
Education CS Julius Ogamba has said 1.2 million Grade 9 students are currently choosing senior schools based on career pathways, school type, gender and location. “The Grade Nine students are using the system to choose senior schools based on career pathways, gender, school type and location among other factors. Preparation for the Grade Nine national assessment is on course and results will be released in time to enable smooth placement,” said Mr Ogamba at the Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA) conference in Mombasa.
He also cancelled an earlier directive to establish day wings in national boarding schools. This follows stakeholder feedback, including opposition from principals who cited discipline issues.
On infrastructure, Mr Ogamba said the full phase out of 8-4-4 will ease congestion. “Senior schools will now have an extra classroom(s) since we will only have three grades at this level. These classrooms will provide extra space for every senior school to avoid overcrowding,” he noted.
To prepare for transition, the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development will distribute all required instructional materials for Grade 10 while the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has been allocated enough resources to retool senior school teachers.
The Ministry has reiterated its directive on assessment integrity. “Education is not just about access; it’s about quality. I urge every headteacher to institutionalise school-based assessments, data-driven improvement plans and mentorship programmes for both learners and teachers,” Mr Ogamba said.
He also disclosed that a national strategy on school safety and learner well-being is being developed to address cases of student indiscipline, unrest and drug abuse.
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On funding, the CS reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the Free Day Secondary Education (FDSE) programme saying Sh22 billion has been disbursed for Term Two, of which Sh11.6 billion is for FDSE.
Mr Ogamba concluded by reminding school administrators of their financial responsibilities under the Public Finance Management Act, 2012. “Every shilling must be accounted for. You are not only entrusted with the care of children but also with public resources. Ensure you comply with all circulars including the prohibition of unauthorised levies unless approved by the Ministry,” he said.
Ministry Flags Non-Compliant Schools Ahead of Grade 10 Rollout, Reclassifies Over 10,000 Secondary Schools.