NAIROBI, Kenya- For learners and parents unhappy with their Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) placement into senior secondary schools (Grade 10), the Ministry of Education has introduced a formal review and change process to address placement concerns.
This comes after widespread feedback that some students were placed in schools or pathways that did not align with their performance or preferences under the new CBE system.
Under the current guidelines, students who sat the 2025 KJSEA exams can request a change of school placement during a designated revision window.
The Ministry opened this window from December 23 to December 29, 2025, allowing parents and learners to initiate transfer requests ahead of the official reporting date of January 12, 2026.
Why Change Requests Are Allowed
Many parents voiced concerns after high‑performing learners were placed in less competitive schools or in pathways that did not reflect their academic strengths or career interests.
In response, the Ministry acknowledged the need for a transparent review process that better matches student performance, pathway choices, and school preferences.
Who Can Apply
Only students transitioning to Grade 10 (those who sat the 2025 KJSEA) are eligible to apply for a placement change during the official window. Requests must be made before learners report to senior school and ideally at least two weeks before the reporting date.
How to Request a Change
- Contact Your Junior School Head: Parents or guardians should submit a formal transfer request through the head of the student’s junior school. The school head will then upload the application to the Ministry’s digital portal.
- Provide Necessary Documentation: The request typically requires the learner’s KJSEA result slip, assessment number, and sometimes a brief justification for the change.
- Senior School Must Declare Vacancies: Before any transfer is approved, the senior school must declare available spaces through its County Director of Education. Only schools with available slots can accept transfer requests.
- Approval and Irreversibility: Once a transfer request is approved by the Ministry of Education, the change is final and irreversible. Joining instructions will be issued online, and schools will not issue printed letters for replacement cases.
Important Considerations
- Priority is given to learners who originally selected the requested school in their list of 12 choices.
- Transfer approvals depend on school capacity and available spaces.
- The review process is intended to be transparent and fair, reflecting the learner’s performance, interests, and chosen academic pathway.
This new placement revision system aims to reduce placement anxiety, improve alignment between learner aspirations and school assignment, and ensure a smoother transition into senior secondary education under the CBE framework.
