Grade nine learners who sat for the 2025 Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) examinations are set to transition to Grade 10 in 2026, marking the start of the senior school phase under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
According to the Ministry of Education, grade 10 placement will be based on pathways, accommodation and academic performance in the KJSEA exams.
The three pathways include Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM); Arts and Sports Science; and Social Sciences, while accommodation is based on gender, day, and hybrid senior schools, and special needs.
Learners will select 12 schools for their chosen pathways in three different categories. In terms of academic performance, learners will be assessed based on points scored in the KJSE exam.
According to the Kenya National Examination Council grading system, learners will be classified in four categories based on the points they scored.
The categories are:
- Exceeding Expectations
This category features top performers in two sub-categories:
- EE1 (AL 8): 90–100% = 8 points (Exceptional)- These are top-performing learners scoring 90-100 marks. They secure places in the traditional national schools such as Alliance, Mang’u, and Kenya High, among others.
- EE2 (AL 7): 75–89% = 7 points (Very Good)- These are learners scoring between 75 and 89 marks. They qualify for promote national schools or institutions that have rapidly risen in performance, infrastructure and teaching quality.
2. Meeting Expectations
This category features steady achievers in two sub-categories:
- ME1 (AL 6): 58–74% = 6 points (Good)- These are learners who scored between 58 and 74 marks. They qualify for top extra county schools.
- ME2 (AL 5): 41–57% = 5 points (Fair)- Learners scoring between 41 and 57 marks qualifies for promoted extra county schools.
3. Approaching Expectations
- AE1 (AL 4): 31–40% = 4 points (Needs Improvement)- Learners scoring between 31 and 40 marks fall under this category. They qualify for county schools; institutions with a balanced academic pressure.
- AE2 (AL 3): 21–30% = 3 points (Below Average)- Those scoring between 21 and 30 marks also qualify for county schools for close mentorship.
4. Below Expectations
- BE1 (AL 2): 11–20% = 2 points (Well Below Average)- With 11-20 marks, these learners qualify for boarding sub-county schools for close guidance.
- BE2 (AL 1): 1–10% = 1 point (Minimal)- Learners scoring 1-10 points will be placed in day sub-county schools that allow for increased parental involvement and personalized teacher attention.
The grade 10 placement is guided by a structured combination system designed to balance student interest and academic ability.
Also Read: Intern teachers not assured of permanent and pensionable jobs – TSC
