In a move that promises to reshape Kenya’s education landscape, the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has kicked off registration for KJSEA, setting the stage for the long-awaited transition of students from Junior School to Senior School.
Preparing for a New Era in Education
The Senior School placement guidelines are now in place, following a year-long push by the Teachers Service Commission and education stakeholders. Principals across the country have been urged to ensure that each school selects at least two career pathways and upgrades their infrastructure to accommodate the change.
Piloting Career Pathways
The Ministry of Education is already piloting career pathway selection with two secondary schools in Meru County. This initiative is designed to help schools better align their curriculum with emerging career opportunities, ensuring that students are well-prepared for a competitive future.
Government Commitment to Competency-Based Education
Basic Education Principal Secretary Dr. Belio Kipsang emphasized that the transition is a key element of President William Ruto’s commitment to competency-based education. “We have built 15,000 classrooms for our Junior School in Grade 9, distributed 9.9 million books, and employed 20,000 teachers,” he noted. Dr. Kipsang added, “This is the year we shall be transitioning our children from Junior School to Senior School. For the first time, students will move from one environment to a new one, and in November, their summative assessments will help guide us in aligning them with appropriate career pathways.”
Engaging Parents and Teachers
Schools have already begun sensitizing Grade 9 students and their parents on the available career pathways. Mr. George Gitonga, Director of Fairfield Academy, stressed the importance of this initiative, saying,
“Parents are inquisitive about career pathways, so we are holding seminars to ensure they are well-informed. Children will choose their pathways based on their interests, capabilities, and competencies. While the competency-based curriculum (CBC) is the way forward, it requires significant investment in school infrastructure.”
Looking Ahead
As Kenya embarks on this transformative journey, stakeholders are calling for the state to further support public schools with the necessary infrastructure. The successful transition to Senior School is seen as a critical step toward preparing students for the future, ensuring they have the skills needed to thrive in an increasingly competitive world.
