The Ministry of Education is poised to admit the inaugural group of Grade 10 students into Senior School for a three-year period under the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) in 2026. Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu assured Senators during his appearance on Wednesday that the government is fully prepared to smoothly transition Grade 10 students into Senior School, marking the gradual phasing out of the 8-4-4 system from secondary education institutions.
“I want to assure you that all necessary arrangements for the Senior School, slated to commence in January 2026, are well underway,” stated CS Machogu. He emphasized that the ministry has meticulously assessed infrastructural needs, including classrooms and laboratories, to accommodate the anticipated influx of Grade 10 learners. Machogu expressed confidence that existing resources would be adequate to address the requirements of the first cohort of Grade 10 students.
Regarding human resources, Machogu disclosed that since 2022, the ministry has intensified the recruitment of teachers, with a total of 56,750 teachers hired across primary, junior secondary, and senior secondary levels. To ensure teachers are adequately prepared to implement the CBC, Machogu informed the Senators about ongoing initiatives to retrain educators.
Moreover, Machogu highlighted the efforts of the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) in developing the curriculum framework tailored for Grade 10 learners.
When questioned by Senate Committee on Education Chairperson Joseph Nyutu about the pathways available in Senior School, Machogu clarified that there would be three options: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM); Social Sciences (humanities); and Performing Arts, Music, and Athletics. Machogu emphasized that the rationale behind offering these pathways is to facilitate specialization and talent nurturing among students.
Regarding whether schools will offer all three pathways or specialize in specific areas, Machogu indicated that the ministry is still formulating a plan. He revealed that a sessional paper addressing this matter has been prepared and will be deliberated upon in parliament to chart the way forward.
In Machogu’s view, the sessional paper’s discussion in parliament will determine whether schools will offer specialized pathways, such as pure STEM programs or a blend of humanities and STEM subjects. He refrained from preempting the debate, anticipating that the sessional paper’s outcome would provide clarity on this issue.
