KNEC Outlines Factors Influencing Learner Placement in Grade 10

KNEC Details Factors Influencing Learner Placement in Grade 10

The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has outlined the criteria that will affect how learners are placed into Grade 10.

During the 2nd Annual Symposium on Competency Based Assessment (CBA) on April 23, Dr. Fred Odhiambo, Deputy Director of Education in the Directorate of Secondary/Senior School, stated that placements will depend on students’ preferences, including their chosen pathways, tracks, subject combinations, and schools.

Odhiambo noted that Senior Schools will be classified according to pathways (triple and double), accommodation types (day and hybrid schools), gender (single-sex and mixed), and special needs (schools for special needs and vocational schools).

He mentioned that students will select 12 schools based on their pathways, with 9 being boarding schools—3 from their home county and 6 from outside their county of residence. Additionally, 3 will be day schools located in their home sub-county.

Students will choose four schools for their first-choice track and subject combination, four for their second choice, and four for their third choice.

KNEC Highlights Additional Considerations

Furthermore, Odhiambo indicated that placement will also take into account learners’ academic performance in their Grade 9 assessments. Psychometric evaluations, which assess learner aptitude, interests, and talents, will also play a role, conducted by the Commission and schools.

He emphasized the importance of regional balance to ensure equitable access for all learners, as well as the capacity and resource availability of the schools applied to.

“There must be ongoing investment in the design, testing, and standardization of these alternative assessment tools. Institutions like KNEC, KISE, and teacher training colleges share this responsibility. KNEC should lead in developing and validating inclusive assessment frameworks and tools for national adoption,” stated Dr. Rachel Kang’ethe, a Senior Lecturer at Kenyatta University, during the event.

Learners to Submit Information

In May, KNEC Chief Executive Officer David Njeng’ere announced that the Commission had created and uploaded sample papers for the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) on the KNEC CBA portal.

Njeng’ere explained that the Grade 10 placement process will be informed by direct input from the students. Candidates will provide information through online questionnaires to share their interests and personalities.

“KNEC will also distribute an online questionnaire to KJSEA candidates via their schools to gather feedback on their interests and preferences, which will be vital for the Ministry of Education in guiding their placement in senior secondary schools,” he said.