How Parents Can Change Grade 10 School Placement for 2026

Monday, 15 December 2025 | By Kevin Oucho

The Ministry of Education has shared clear instructions for parents and learners who want to change schools for students joining Grade 10 next year. 

This comes as junior secondary schools prepare to welcome the first batch of students transitioning under the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system.

According to the ministry, all junior secondary schools will share their available slots with county directors of education. 

Parents or guardians who want their children placed in a different school must submit their request through the school principal at least two weeks before the Grade 10 reporting date, which is set for January 12, 2026.

The ministry emphasized that requests will be considered based on the schools’ documented capacity. Priority will go to learners who had initially selected the schools they now wish to join. 

Once the request is approved, the ministry will issue the joining instructions online. Parents are reminded that no school will issue printed letters for replacement cases.

“The replacement process will be done only once, and it cannot be reversed,” the ministry stated. 

Officials involved in the process are expected to ensure that the selection and placement are fair and transparent, helping students transition smoothly from junior to senior school.

The placement process comes shortly after the release of the 2025 KJSEA results, which Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba announced on December 11. 

The exams, held between October 27 and November 3, tested the readiness of learners for the next stage of their education. Out of 1,130,459 students who sat for the exams, 578,630 were boys and 551,829 were girls.

Over the next two weeks, the ministry will finalize placements for all Grade 10 learners. Students will be able to check their assigned schools online via the KNEC portal (kjsea.knec.ac.ke) using their unique assessment numbers. 

The ministry has confirmed that the entire placement process will be automated to reduce errors and ensure efficiency.

“All schools, public and private, will admit Grade 10 learners through KEMIS. No principal should register a learner in the system before they physically report to the school. Daily online reporting will be monitored closely,” the ministry added.

Parents are advised to carefully follow the guidelines to avoid missing deadlines. Teachers are encouraged to guide learners in accessing the portal and understanding their placement. 

The ministry hopes that the fully digital approach will make the process smoother and more transparent for everyone involved.

This initiative marks an important step in the Competency-Based Education system, which aims to equip students with practical skills and knowledge for future studies and careers. 

Education officials also stress that parents and students must check the portal regularly for updates. 

Any errors or issues should be reported immediately to the county education office to avoid complications when school opens.