The long wait for more than a million Kenyan families ends this week as the Ministry of Education prepares to release placements for learners transitioning to Grade 10. Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok confirmed that the Senior School selections for the 1,130,459 candidates who sat the inaugural KJSEA will be accessible by Friday, December 19, 2025.

This marks a pivotal moment for the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), as the first cohort moves into the final tier of their basic education. The placement process, which the ministry assures is fully automated, determines which of the country's 9,540 senior schools each learner will join, based on their performance, chosen career pathways, and school capacity. Learners are expected to report to their new schools on January 12, 2026.

How to Check Your Placement

The government has provided two simple methods for parents and learners to access the placement results. The most direct way is via an SMS service. By sending the learner's KNEC assessment number to the shortcode 22263, families will receive an instant message with the placement details. Each SMS will cost KES 30.

Alternatively, individual results and placement letters can be accessed and printed from the official KNEC portal. To log in, users will need the learner's assessment number and one of their registered names.

• SMS Service: Send Assessment Number to 22263 (KES 30 per SMS).
• Online Portal: Visit kjsea.knec.ac.ke to view and print results.
• Reporting Date: January 12, 2026.

Understanding the New Assessment

Unlike the previous 8-4-4 system, the KJSEA results are not ranked. Instead, learners are assessed using four performance bands: Exceeding Expectations, Meeting Expectations, Approaching Expectations, and Below Expectations. This new system is designed to reduce unhealthy competition and provide a more holistic view of a student's abilities.

The final score is a composite, with the Grade 9 summative assessment accounting for 60% of the total. The remaining 40% is drawn from the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) taken in Grade 6 (20%) and school-based assessments from Grades 7 and 8 (20%).

Pathway to the Future

The 2025 results revealed key trends in pathway eligibility. According to Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, 59.09% of the candidates demonstrated potential for the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) pathway. Meanwhile, 46.52% qualified for Social Sciences, and 48.73% showed aptitude for the Arts and Sports pathway.

In a notable trend, female learners outperformed their male counterparts in 10 out of the 12 subjects assessed, with the most significant gaps seen in Kiswahili and Christian Religious Education. However, performance in Mathematics and Kenyan Sign Language remains a concern across the board.

For those unsatisfied with their placement, the ministry has provided a window for revision. PS Bitok announced that learners can apply to revise their school or pathway choices starting Tuesday, December 23rd, offering a chance to align their placement with their results and career aspirations. This flexibility is a critical step in ensuring the new curriculum meets the diverse needs and talents of every Kenyan child.