NAIROBI, Kenya- The Ministry of Education says it received more than 100,000 requests from parents and learners seeking revisions to Grade 10 placements on the opening day of the seven-day review window.
Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok confirmed the surge in applications, noting that over 2,000 had already been processed and approved by Tuesday afternoon.
Heavy Demand for Placement Changes
Speaking during an assessment selection at Naivasha Boys’ Boarding School, PS Bitok said the ministry was handling the influx of requests in phases.
Placement reviews for Category One (C1) schools are being managed centrally in Nairobi, while requests for schools up to Cluster Four (C4) have been delegated to line officers to speed up the process.
The high number of applications reflects concerns among parents and learners following the release of the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) results earlier this month.
The ministry had announced the review period on Sunday, December 21, to allow dissatisfied candidates to seek alternative placements.
Digital Glitches Quickly Resolved
Bitok acknowledged that the system experienced temporary disruptions earlier in the day, but assured that services were restored at the Konza data centre.
“There were slight hiccups over digital detail, but it has been restored at Konza,” he said, adding that the review process was now running seamlessly.
Officials emphasized that the ministry is committed to ensuring all applications are processed within the seven-day window. Parents and learners were urged to remain patient as the exercise continues.
The placement exercise is part of Kenya’s Competency-Based Education (CBE) system, which aims to align learning with national development goals and global education trends.
The inaugural KJSEA exams, conducted nationwide in November, marked a significant milestone in the transition to CBE.
By equipping learners with relevant skills and competencies, the ministry hopes to prepare students for both local and international job markets.
The Grade 10 placement review is seen as a crucial step in ensuring that learners are matched to pathways that best suit their abilities and aspirations.
