Ministry of Education Launches New Online Portal to Guide Grade 9 Learners on Career and School Choices.
The Ministry of Education has introduced a transformative online platform that connects senior school subject choices to future career paths, marking a significant shift in Kenya’s education system. The platform will assist learners, parents, and teachers in making informed choices by providing detailed subject combinations required for over 350 careers.
This initiative replaces the previous performance-only-based selection model with a more career-aligned approach under the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system.
Grade 9 learners, numbering approximately 1.2 million, can now access the portal to select their preferred senior schools and career pathways. The portal, launched ahead of the January 2026 senior school transition, categorizes 9,569 schools into four clusters—C1 to C4—replacing the old national, extra-county, county, and sub-county classification.
Unlike the 8-4-4 system that focused primarily on KCPE exam scores for school selection, the new framework incorporates career goals, talents, and learner interests. It is anticipated that Cluster 1 and 2 schools—typically better resourced—will be in higher demand, introducing a new level of competition.
The platform recommends subject clusters for specific careers. For instance, a student aiming to become a data analyst should choose the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) pathway, take the pure sciences track, and include computer studies. Notably, studying computer studies is linked to 20 different careers, highlighting the platform’s potential to broaden students’ horizons.
All selections—schools, subjects, and career pathways—will be completed online. The system matches learners to schools based on their academic performance, selected pathway, school capacity, and geographic considerations, ensuring a holistic placement process.
According to the Ministry of Education, the system is tailor-made for CBE and supports a smooth transition from junior to senior school (Grades 10 to 12) by focusing on each learner’s interest, ability, and talent. The system is now managed directly by the ministry, as opposed to the former Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec) portal.
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The placement will incorporate both academic and non-academic factors, including continuous assessments and national exams—Grade 6 and Grade 9 evaluations. The inaugural Kenya Junior Schools Education Assessment (KJSEA) is set to take place from October 28 to November 3, 2025. Presently, Grade 9 learners are completing their Creative Arts and Sports Projects as part of their assessments.
Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok confirmed that the government will utilize the Kenya Education Management Information System (Kemis) to manage the transition. He reported that the automated selection system has been tested and piloting will conclude on June 6, 2025. Consequently, the actual selection of pathways and subject combinations will take place between June 9 and June 30.
Heads of senior schools will use the system to indicate which subject combinations and pathways they will offer. Junior school heads will assist learners and parents in navigating the platform, while Sub County Directors of Education will oversee and approve school selections. County Directors of Education will monitor the overall selection process, and the Head of Senior School Education will manage the system nationally.
“This is a revolutionary step for our education sector. We are not only matching learners to schools but aligning them with future careers,” said PS Bitok. “Everything is in place for the transition of all 1.2 million learners.”
He further emphasized that Kemis will ensure accurate placement and tracking of learners and teaching staff from early education through to higher learning, replacing the older National Education Management Information System (Nemis).
PS Bitok assured that the platform aims to achieve a 100% transition rate from junior to senior school. With all systems go, the government is confident that every Grade 9 learner will be placed into Grade 10 without exclusion.
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“We’re not leaving any child behind. Every learner will have a place in senior school come January 2026,” he stated optimistically. “The focus is on interest, talent, and ability—this is how we secure their future.”
This new digital approach, underpinned by structured planning and inclusive participation, marks a major milestone in implementing the Competency-Based Education system, offering learners a more personalized and purpose-driven academic journey.
Ministry of Education Launches New Online Portal to Guide Grade 9 Learners on Career and School Choices.