The Ministry of Education has assured parents and learners that the transition to Grade 10 senior school is progressing smoothly, despite reports of low student turnout in some institutions.
Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok said all 1.1 million learners have been successfully placed in schools across the country, adding that there is sufficient capacity to accommodate every student under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
Speaking on Thursday at Alliance Boys High School, PS Bitok noted that ministry officials and field teams are actively engaging with learners, parents, and school administrators to ensure a smooth reporting process.
He urged schools to remain flexible, including allowing students to report over the weekend, to boost enrollment before the official reporting deadline.
“Overall, the transition process is going on very smoothly. Our officers are on the ground supporting learners and parents to ensure the process is seamless,” he said.
However, some schools have reported slower-than-expected reporting, with administrators attributing the delays to issues such as double placements and indecision by parents.
In one case, a school expecting 730 students had only 400 report, after some learners were initially placed in different schools, creating confusion.
The ministry has since intervened to correct erroneous transfers, ensuring learners are admitted to their rightful schools.
PS Bitok urged parents to have confidence in the digital placement system, noting that learners can confirm their school placements by sending an SMS to 22263 or through the official placement portal.
He also reminded parents that requests for placement revisions would be accepted until January 16, cautioning that highly sought-after schools with limited capacity may not accommodate all change requests.
The Education PS further explained that while many parents and learners prefer specific schools, the ministry’s main objective is to ensure every child accesses education.
He revealed that more than 50,000 students applied to just 20 top schools, creating intense competition for limited slots.
“It is important for parents to accept the schools their children have been allocated. Every learner has a place, and the ministry is working to make the process as smooth as possible,” PS Bitok said.
Education officials reiterated that the Grade 10 transition remains on track, with continuous monitoring and support from county education directors, school principals, and ministry officials.
The government has reaffirmed its commitment to achieving 100 per cent placement and ensuring a smooth start for all Grade 10 learners nationwide.
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