When Kenya's first CBC cohort reached senior school in 2026, the question changed for junior schools and parents. It was no longer "what happens after Grade 9?" in the abstract, but "which pathway, and how do we prepare for it?"
This guide covers the three senior school pathways, how placement is decided, and what junior schools can do now to make the process smoother for learners and their families.
The three pathways
Senior school (Grades 10 to 12) is organised around three broad pathways. Each learner chooses one and studies it alongside a set of compulsory subjects.
1. Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
For learners drawn to science and technical work. Electives can include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science, Agriculture, Media Technology and applied technical or engineering options.
2. Social Sciences
For learners interested in people, language, business and society. Electives can include Literature, languages, Business Studies, History, Geography, Religious Education and Social Studies.
3. Arts and Sports Science
For learners with strengths in creative arts, performance or sport. Options include music, dance, theatre, visual arts and sports science.
What every senior school learner studies
Whatever the pathway, there is a common core. It includes English, Kiswahili or Kenyan Sign Language, Mathematics and Community Service Learning. Learners then add the electives that belong to their pathway.
How placement works
Placement is based on two things combined:
- School-Based Assessment (SBA): the learner's performance across the junior school years, recorded by the school.
- KJSEA: the national Kenya Junior School Education Assessment, sat at the end of Grade 9.
Reported guidance gives SBA a share of 40 percent and KJSEA 60 percent of the placement score. Learners also indicate their preferred pathways and schools, and the Ministry has indicated expectations for how learners may spread across the three pathways, with the largest share anticipated in STEM.
Because policy details can be adjusted, always confirm the latest figures and rules with the Ministry of Education and KNEC before advising parents. What matters for schools is the principle: what you record during the year counts toward the learner's future.
What junior schools should be doing now
Keep SBA records accurate and complete
If school-based assessment carries real weight, then sloppy records can disadvantage a learner. Check that:
- Every learning area has marks recorded for every assessment.
- Marks are entered against the correct learner, class and term.
- Corrections are traceable, not made on loose sheets.
- Records are kept in one place that more than one person can access.
Use the same grading scale throughout
Mixing scales between teachers or terms makes it hard to compare a learner's progress honestly. Our guide to the CBC grading system sets out the eight bands, from EE1 to BE2, and how marks convert to points.
Start pathway conversations early
Do not leave this until Grade 9 term 3. A better rhythm looks like this:
- Grade 7: introduce the pathways and let learners explore interests.
- Grade 8: look at strengths across learning areas, and discuss them with parents.
- Grade 9: confirm choices, with time to adjust before placement.
Look at the whole learner
Marks are part of the picture. Interests, aptitude, and the core competencies a learner has built also matter. Our explainer on the seven CBC core competencies is a good starting point for those conversations.
Brief parents clearly
Most parents are not familiar with the pathways. A one-page summary and a short parents' meeting go a long way. Cover the three pathways, how placement is scored, the timeline, and where to find official updates.
Records that follow a learner
A learner's results across Grades 7, 8 and 9 build up to a single placement decision. If records live in separate exercise books and Excel files, pulling them together at the end is slow and error-prone.
A school management system keeps results by learner, term and learning area in one place, so you can produce a full history on demand. DiraSchool stores results with the CBC rubric applied consistently and lets you generate report cards for any term. You can create a school account and enter a class to see how it works. It is free to get started.
Summary
- There are three senior school pathways: STEM, Social Sciences, and Arts and Sports Science.
- Placement combines school-based assessment (reported at 40 percent) and KJSEA (60 percent).
- Accurate, consistent records through Grades 7 to 9 are now directly relevant to learners' futures.
- Start pathway conversations in Grade 7, and keep parents informed.
Policy on senior school placement is evolving. Confirm the latest rules with the Ministry of Education and KNEC.
Related: Clean Grade 7 to 9 records are easier with a school management system built for CBC.
Frequently asked questions
What are the three senior school pathways in Kenya?
The three pathways are Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), Social Sciences, and Arts and Sports Science.
How are learners placed into senior school?
Placement combines school-based assessment and the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA). Reported guidance puts school-based assessment at 40 percent and KJSEA at 60 percent.
Which subjects are compulsory in senior school?
Core subjects include English, Kiswahili or Kenyan Sign Language, Mathematics and Community Service Learning, alongside the electives for the chosen pathway.
Can a learner choose any pathway?
Learners choose a pathway, but placement depends on performance, the choices they make, and the availability of the pathway in schools. Check current Ministry of Education guidance for the details.