Ministry rolls out digital platform to guide Grade 9 learners to Senior Schools

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has said that the government has developed a new digital platform to support the seamless transition of Grade 9 learners to Senior Schools under the Competency Based Education (CBE).

The platform, now in use, allows students to select their preferred career pathways and Senior Schools based on interest, location and available infrastructure.

“The Ministry of Education has developed a water-tight system being used by Grade 9 learners to select their preferred Senior Schools and career pathways,” noted Ogamba.

He spoke on Wednesday, June 25, in Mombasa while opening the 48th Annual Kenya Secondary School Heads Association conference.

Ogamba explained that preparations for Grade 10 were well underway and that the necessary assessments would be completed in time to ensure smooth placement of learners.

He described school principals as central to education reform and urged them to take ownership of the changes underway.

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“Education is not just about access; it is about quality,” observed Ogamba, adding, “Every decision you make, every child you mentor and every teacher you support helps build the foundation and future of our Nation.”

He also announced that classrooms freed up by the new Competency Based Education structure would help manage population pressure in Senior Schools.

Ogamba acknowledged financial challenges faced by schools and noted that the government had disbursed Sh22 billion this term, including Sh11.6 billion for Free Day Secondary Education.

“Every shilling must be accounted for. You are entrusted not only with children but with public resources,” warned Ogamba.

“The government’s zero-tolerance stance on examination malpractice, financial mismanagement and unauthorised levies remains unchanged,” he added.

Ogamba revealed that the Ministry was developing a national safety and wellbeing strategy to address growing concerns over drug abuse, unrest and indiscipline in schools.

“But it is you who will actualise this strategy. Through strong value-based leadership, parental engagement and counselling, we will win this battle,” he stated.

He affirmed that learning materials would be distributed in time by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development, while the Teachers Service Commission was retooling teachers to manage the transition.

Ogamba encouraged schools to institutionalise mentorship programmes, school-based assessments and data-driven tracking to ensure learners gain 21st-century skills.

Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok urged school heads to adopt e-procurement and embrace the Kenya Education Management Information System, which is being rolled out to replace the National Education Management Information System.

According to Bitok, the new system will support accurate and timely funding of schools.

“KEMIS will address long-standing delays and disparities in school funding,” he explained.

He also announced that the government had fast-tracked plans to recruit at least 24,000 new teachers in the next financial year, pushing total recruitment to 100,000 in two years.