NAIROBI, Kenya – National schools remain the most sought-after destination for Kenya’s first cohort of senior school learners, even as education authorities warn that fierce competition and strict merit rules will lock out thousands of applicants.
The Ministry of Education says more than 50,000 Grade 10 learners are competing for limited slots in just 20 Cluster One schools, underlining the intense scramble for elite institutions as the country prepares for the historic transition to senior school under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
The pressure has triggered a surge in placement revision requests, with parents and learners rushing to amend their choices before the review window closes.
Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok said the ministry has received 343,000 requests for placement changes — about a third of all candidates — as families seek better schools or alternative learning pathways.
“Out of these, 183,000 requests have already been processed. We approved 116,000 and declined 67,000 due to merit-based cut-off points and capacity limitations,” Bitok told Nation.
He cautioned parents against unrealistic expectations, stressing that placement decisions must strictly follow established criteria.
“Placement must adhere to the guidelines. Not all requests can be approved. Learners should apply only to schools where they meet the requirements and where space is available,” he said.
Those whose applications are rejected, Bitok added, are encouraged to explore other qualifying institutions instead of repeatedly targeting oversubscribed schools.
To ease anxiety and improve transparency, the ministry last week rolled out a digital platform that allows parents and school administrators to request placement revisions online.
Under the system, each learner can select up to four alternative schools, increasing their chances of securing a suitable placement.
The processing of revisions has also been decentralised. Requests for Cluster One schools are handled at the ministry headquarters, Cluster Two by regional directors, Cluster Three by county directors and Cluster Four by sub-county directors.
“We are seeing requests from learners moving between STEM, social sciences, arts and sports pathways. These requests are coming from all over the country,” Bitok said while supervising the exercise at Naivasha Boys Boarding Junior Secondary School.
Amid growing public concern, President William Ruto moved to reassure parents, dismissing claims that learners could miss out on senior school placement.
“All 1.13 million children will get placement in senior schools in January. We have made adequate arrangements; no child will be left behind,” Ruto said on Sunday during a church service at Covenant Church International in Rotian, Narok County.
The President announced a Sh44 billion funding package to support senior school under CBC and warned politicians against dragging children into what he termed “unnecessary politics”.
“We have not reduced funding for free education. Politicians should take politics out of education and allow our children to learn,” he said.
Ruto also highlighted gains made since his administration took office in 2022, including the employment of 100,000 teachers by January 2026, the construction of 23,000 classrooms and the completion of 1,600 laboratories nationwide.
As the placement review window continues, education officials insist the process will remain merit-based, transparent and guided by available capacity — even as demand for top-tier schools continues to outstrip supply.
