The Ministry of Education has reassured parents and learners that the transition to Grade 10 senior school is progressing smoothly, despite concerns of low student turnout in some schools.
Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok emphasised that all 1.1 million learners have been placed in schools nationwide, with enough capacity to accommodate every student under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
Speaking on Thursday at Alliance Boys High School, PS Bitok stated that the ministry officers and field teams are actively supporting learners, parents, and school administrators to ensure a seamless reporting process. He encouraged schools to remain flexible, including admitting students over the weekend, to maximise enrollment before the official due date.
“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 stated.
However, several schools have reported slower than usual student reporting, with administrators citing challenges such as double placements and parental indecision.
One school reported that of 730 students expected, only 400 had reported, noting that some learners were initially allocated to different schools, causing confusion.
Ministry officials intervened, reversing erroneous transfers to ensure students were admitted to their rightful institutions.
PS Bitok urged parents to trust the digital placement system and confirmed that learners can verify their school assignments via SMS to 22263 or through the official portal.
He also reiterated that parents seeking revisions had until January 16 to request changes, though the ministry cautioned that popular schools with limited spaces may not accommodate all requests.
The Education PS also highlighted that while some students prefer certain schools, the ministry’s priority is ensuring that every learner has access to education, noting that more than 50,000 students applied to only 20 top schools, creating high demand for a few institutions.
“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 added.
Officials reaffirmed that the transition process is on track, with continued monitoring and support from county directors, school principals, and the ministry to address bottlenecks. The government remains committed to ensuring 100 per cent placement and a smooth start for all Grade 10 learners across the country.
