Career pathways to shape senior school selections

The transition from Grade 9 to senior secondary will undergo a significant shift in 2026 with the introduction of a new placement system under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).

This change means that learners will no longer select schools based on traditional categories such as national, extra-county, or sub-county schools. Instead, placement will be determined by students’ career pathways, guiding their entry into specific schools offering specialised tracks.

According to the new guidelines, senior schools (Grade 10 to Grade 12) will be categorised as either triple pathway or double pathway institutions. 

The triple pathway day schools will offer all three pathways recognised as Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), Arts and Sports Science, and Social Sciences.

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In contrast, triple pathway hybrid schools will offer all three pathways but will have a mix of day students and boarders.

It is expected that these schools will be those with adequate physical and human resources to offer a wide range of learning areas.

Double pathway day schools will offer two pathways—STEM (which may include pure sciences, applied sciences, or technical studies) and Arts and Social Sciences.

Similarly, double pathway hybrid schools will offer a combination of two pathways, with some students attending as day learners while others reside at the school. The pathway focuses on scientific and technical disciplines, preparing learners for fields like engineering, medicine, and technology. For students in the STEM pathway, the Pure Science Track will include Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, and Biology.

The STEM pathway will comprise 60 per cent of learners in Grade 9.

The Social Science pathway includes a Language and Literature Track with subjects like English, Kiswahili, and indigenous languages, and a Humanities and Business Studies Track covering Religious Education, Business Studies, History, and Geography. The pathway prepares learners for careers in law, education, public administration, international relations, economics, and social work. Career opportunities include roles in law enforcement, education, government service, international relations, and more.

Under the Arts and Sports Science pathway, students’ creativity and physical abilities will be nurtured, as well as cultural awareness, preparing them for careers in the arts and sports industries.

The subjects under the Arts track include Music, Dance, Fine Arts, and Theatre, while the Sports Science track will cover Physical Education, Sports, and Recreation.

Career opportunities in the Arts and Sports Science Pathway include roles in professional sports, arts management, music production, theatre, and fitness training.

The new system is designed to allow flexibility, as learners can switch between pathways if their interests or abilities change over time.

Each learner will have the option to choose seven schools for their first-choice pathway and track, three schools for their second-choice pathway, and two schools for their third-choice pathway.

“In total, 12 schools will be available for selection,” said Education CS Julius Ogamba.

Students’ final placement scores will be a combination of their results from multiple assessments with 20 per cent from the Grade 6 Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) results and 20 per cent from School-Based Assessments (SBA) during Grades 7 and 8, including projects, practical, and theory.

The 60 per cent is from the Grade 9 Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment, which will be a national exam.