Thousands of Kenyan families have been granted a critical reprieve after the government reopened the portal for Senior School selection, following widespread complaints over the initial placement of more than 1.13 million learners.

The move offers a second chance for the 2025 Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA) cohort to correct placement errors that could define their career paths. Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok confirmed that the revision window will be effective for seven days starting Tuesday, December 23, 2025.

Why the System Faltered

The initial automated placement, released late last week, was met with frustration as many parents reported technical glitches, including an unresponsive SMS system and web portal. More significantly, numerous top-performing students were placed in schools or career pathways they had not selected, sparking confusion and anger.

In a statement, PS Bitok acknowledged the public's dissatisfaction, attributing the challenges to several factors.

• Fierce Competition: An overwhelming number of applicants vied for limited slots in popular national and extra-county schools.
• Communication Gaps: Misaligned communication between parents, students, and school heads during the initial selection process led to incorrect choices being submitted.
• Pathway Mismatches: Some learners were assigned to career pathways—such as STEM or Arts and Sports—that did not align with their assessment outcomes or preferences.

A Race Against Time

With schools scheduled to open on January 12, 2026, parents and learners face a tight deadline to navigate the revision process. Candidates must contact their Grade 9 schools or the Ministry of Education’s sub-county offices to make the changes. The ministry has assured the public that an automated system will guide the review, matching learners' preferences with their performance and the availability of slots in real-time. The National Parents Association has urged for transparency to ensure the system reflects the true merit of the learners.

The revision is not just for school choice but also for the crucial career pathways that are a cornerstone of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). The Ministry has clarified that learners can apply to switch from one pathway to another, provided they meet the criteria and space is available.

This placement marks the largest and most significant education transition in Kenya's recent history, as the first cohort under the CBC moves to Grade 10, effectively phasing out the 8-4-4 system. As the revision window opens, all eyes are on the Ministry to see if this second chance can restore faith in a system designed to shape the future of a generation.