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| Education CS Ogamba Migosi. |
Delay in Grade 9 Senior School Selection Raises Anxiety Among Learners and Parents
Growing concern has emerged among parents, teachers and learners following delays in the Grade 9 senior school selection process under Kenya's Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
The postponement has created uncertainty for thousands of learners who are expected to transition to senior school, with education stakeholders calling for timely communication from the Ministry of Education.
The senior school selection exercise is a crucial stage in the CBC system, as it determines the learning pathway each student will pursue based on their interests, abilities and career aspirations.
Learners are expected to select from pathways such as Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), Social Sciences, and Arts and Sports Science before joining Grade 10.
Parents have expressed concern that the delayed process has left many families uncertain about the next steps.
Without clear timelines and official guidance, learners are finding it difficult to make informed decisions regarding their future studies and the schools they hope to join.
Teachers have also voiced worries that the uncertainty could interfere with school planning and career guidance programmes.
Many schools had already begun preparing learners for pathway selection through career mentorship sessions, but the absence of official directives has slowed progress.
Education experts argue that career guidance should remain a continuous process to help learners understand their strengths and align them with suitable academic and professional opportunities.
They note that timely communication is essential to ensure a smooth transition from junior secondary to senior school.
The Competency-Based Curriculum places significant emphasis on nurturing individual talents and competencies rather than relying solely on examination performance.
As a result, the senior school selection process is expected to play a major role in shaping learners' educational and career journeys.
Stakeholders are now urging the Ministry of Education to release comprehensive guidelines on the selection exercise, including the timelines, placement criteria and reporting schedules.
Clear information, they say, will help schools, parents and learners prepare adequately for the transition.
Education officials have previously maintained that the transition to senior school remains a key milestone in the implementation of the CBC, with efforts focused on ensuring that every learner is placed in a pathway that matches their interests and potential.
As Kenya continues implementing education reforms, many stakeholders believe that timely planning and effective communication will be critical in building public confidence in the CBC system.
A well-coordinated senior school selection exercise is expected to minimise confusion, reduce anxiety among learners and parents, and support a successful transition into the next phase of secondary education.
Delay in Grade 9 Senior School Selection Raises Anxiety Among Learners and Parents