Senior School Launch in 2026: MP Demands Education Ministry’s Readiness for CBC Transition

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Senior School Launch in 2026: MP Demands Education Ministry’s Readiness for CBC Transition.

Garissa Township Member of Parliament, Dekow Mohamed, has urged the Ministry of Education to adequately prepare for the upcoming shift of learners from Grade 9 to Grade 10 in 2026. He stressed that failure to plan early could create unnecessary confusion for both learners and their parents, potentially disrupting the rollout of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).

The transition to senior school, covering Grades 10 to 12, is set to begin in January 2026 with the first cohort currently in Grade 9. Dekow made these remarks during the launch of the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) bursary programme in Garissa town.

While addressing attendees at the forum, the MP warned that rushing preparations could undermine the success of the CBC. He pointed out that despite the CBC and Competency-Based Education (CBE) having been introduced over seven years ago, there seemed to be inadequate groundwork for the critical move from junior to senior secondary school.

He emphasized that only six months remained and called for all public schools to be fully equipped in time for the transition. Dekow directly stated that they were asking the Cabinet Secretary for Education to ensure the process was free of confusion and disorganization.

Responding to the concerns raised, Garissa Township Sub-County Director of Education, Rashid Muktar, maintained that the government had made all the necessary preparations.

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He confirmed that essential learning materials for Grade 10 would be distributed to schools beginning August and that the curriculum was already finalized. Muktar also emphasized that parents and students should not worry, as everything required for the successful start of senior school was in place.

He elaborated that public secondary schools had undergone comprehensive assessments and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) had completed training and retooling of educators for the senior school curriculum. The Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD), he said, had finalized learning materials and textbooks for Grade 10.

Earlier this year, the Ministry of Education released detailed guidelines for the placement of learners into senior schools. The categorization includes pathways, accommodation types, gender considerations, and special needs provisions.

Under the pathways model, students will choose between two systems: the double pathway focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM), and Arts & Sports Science; and the triple pathway, which incorporates STEM, Arts & Sports, and Social Sciences.

Accommodation will be split into two formats: day schools for commuting learners, and hybrid schools that accommodate both boarding and day scholars.

Gender classification will include both single-sex schools—dedicated to either girls or boys—and mixed schools where both genders study together.

The special needs category encompasses schools for learners with hearing, visual, or physical impairments. It also includes vocational institutions tailored for students with autism, cerebral palsy, cognitive difficulties, or deaf-blindness.

For placement into senior school, each student will be required to select a total of twelve schools aligned with their chosen pathway. This selection includes four schools as their top priority based on subject combinations, another four for their second preference, and the remaining four for their third option.

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A senior official from the ministry remarked that the placement process was designed to ensure equity and access, and to align learners with their individual talents and career interests. “We want every child to be placed in a school where they can thrive both academically and personally,” the official noted.

By reiterating both concerns and reassurances, the stakeholders hope to ensure a seamless transition as Kenya moves into the next critical phase of implementing its Competency-Based Curriculum.

Senior School Launch in 2026: MP Demands Education Ministry’s Readiness for CBC Transition.