Gov't extends Grade 10 reporting to Wednesday, January 21

By Newsflash Reporter

The government has extended the reporting deadline for Grade 10 learners to Wednesday, January 21, as efforts intensify to account for nearly 400,000 students who are yet to report to senior school.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba said chiefs and their assistants have been brought on board to help trace the learners and establish why they have not resumed.

Mr Ogamba said the government is keen to achieve a full transition to senior school, with a target of 100 per cent enrolment. To realise this goal, education officials will work closely with the Ministry of Interior to allow local administrators to conduct household visits and identify challenges preventing learners from reporting.

He noted that the extension was meant to ensure no child is left behind, except in exceptional cases involving clear placement errors.

Admissions figures and system challenges

As of Friday evening, about 550,000 of the 1.13 million learners who sat the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) had been captured on the senior school online admissions portal. However, the Cabinet Secretary clarified that the actual number of students already in school is likely much higher than what the system shows.

“Learners are steadily reporting. By Friday night, the numbers were already significant, and we are still waiting for two regions to upload their data,” Mr Ogamba said. He explained that many schools are still entering details from physical admissions, adding that connectivity challenges in some institutions have delayed updates on the portal.

In several cases, learners have already reported, undergone orientation and started attending classes, even though their records are yet to be fully reflected in the system. At the same time, some schools have registered very low numbers due to limited demand from students.

“We must confront the reality that some schools are not preferred by learners,” Mr Ogamba said, noting that this will inform future decisions on resource allocation and possible consolidation of institutions.

Funding support and confidence in CBE

The Ministry of Education plans to compile a detailed report after the admission process ends, outlining enrolment figures per school and recommending whether adjustments, such as redistributing learners, are necessary. The government is also considering upgrading more schools to national status, particularly in response to low uptake in some day senior schools classified as C4.

Previously, Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok revealed that some senior schools were not selected at all by KJSEA candidates. He also warned that action would be taken against school heads who charge fees beyond government-approved limits.

Officials attribute delayed reporting to parents hoping to change school placements, with some seeking vacancies in more preferred institutions. The extension of the reporting deadline, Mr Ogamba said, was intended to give families time to resolve such issues.

A total of 1.13 million candidates sat the 2025 KJSEA, with results released in December. The Kenya National Examinations Council later opened a review window that attracted more than 300,000 applications from learners seeking reassessment of their scores.

Financing options

To support students from vulnerable households, the government has activated several financing options, including the National Government Constituency Development Fund, bursaries from county governments and scholarships from partner organisations. Mr Ogamba said these measures are aimed at ensuring financial constraints do not keep learners out of school.

Meanwhile, the Teachers Service Commission has urged parents to remain confident in the quality of education offered at senior school under the Competency-Based Education system.

Acting Chief Executive Officer Evaleen Mitei said teachers are adequately trained and ready to support Grade 10 learners during the transition.

While acknowledging past challenges with CBE, Ms Mitei said the Ministry of Education has invested heavily in teacher training and preparation. She added that, if properly implemented, the system will nurture innovation, equip learners with technical skills and help the country address unemployment by enabling young people to realise their full potential.