The Ministry of Education has moved to reassure the public that the nationwide transition of over 1.1 million students to Grade 10 is progressing as planned, despite emerging challenges of double placements and lower-than-expected turnout at some institutions.
Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok, speaking at Alliance Boys High School on Thursday, emphasized that every learner under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) has been allocated a place, with sufficient capacity across the country to accommodate them all.
"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," PS Bitok stated.
However, the Ministry’s confident assurances contrast with reports from several school administrators who are experiencing a slower reporting rate. One school, which expected 730 new students, reported that only 400 had shown up. A significant cause of the confusion appears to be "double placements," where some learners were initially allocated to multiple schools, leading to parental indecision about where to report.
To resolve these errors, Ministry officials confirmed they have intervened to reverse erroneous transfers, ensuring students are admitted to their rightful institutions.
PS Bitok urged parents to trust the digital placement system, highlighting that learners can verify their school assignments by sending an SMS to 22263 or checking the official ministry portal.
Acknowledging the pressure on popular institutions, the PS revealed that more than 50,000 students applied for just 20 top national schools, creating intense demand for limited spaces. He appealed for parental understanding, noting that the ministry's primary goal is guaranteeing access to education for every child.
"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," he added.
The Ministry has set a deadline of January 16 for parents seeking revisions or changes to placements. However, officials cautioned that popular schools with filled capacities may not be able to accommodate all such requests.
To ensure maximum enrolment, PS Bitok encouraged schools to remain flexible, including admitting students over the weekend, ahead of the official reporting deadline.
Officials reaffirmed that the transition process is being closely monitored, with support from county directors and school principals to address any remaining bottlenecks. The government maintains its commitment to a 100 per cent placement rate and a smooth academic start for all Grade 10 learners across Kenya.
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