Senior School 2026: KNEC Launches Grade 9 Talent-Based Nomination for CBC Pathways

The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has officially registered the nomination of Grade 9 learners who will be transferred to Senior School in January 2026, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education.

KNEC (n.d., September 15, 2025) described how it will place learners under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), highlighting that it should be a holistic approach that takes into account talents, interests, and potential.

Grade 9 Learners to Choose Senior School Pathways as KNEC Unveils Nomination Process

Senior School Pathways

Learners will be placed in one of three pathways:

1. Arts and Sports Science – including Music and Dance, Theatre, Visual Arts, and Sports.

2. Social Sciences – for learners with interests in history, geography, and related disciplines.

3. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) – for those inclined toward science and innovation.

The ministry is prioritizing the identification of learners with exceptional abilities in the Creative Arts and Sports domains for the Arts and Sports Science Pathway.

Why the Nomination Process Matters

The circular, signed by KNEC Chief Executive Officer Dr. David Njengere, states that traditional academic tests do not typically provide a comprehensive picture of a learner’s abilities.

According to the circular, learners tend to have superior skills, talents, and interests in fields that cannot be entirely reflected in the traditional ways of academic evaluation.

The idea of the nomination process is thus to make sure that there is fairness and precision in the placement of learners based on verifiable evidence, e.g., performance record, awards, and original works.

Submission Guidelines

Schools are required to log in to the official KNEC portal https://nomination.knec.ac.ke using their school code as the username and password. Upon first login, institutions must change their passwords for security purposes.

Key requirements include:

• Use of Nomination Tool: Schools must strictly follow the Ministry-developed tool for submission.

• Supporting Evidence: Documentation such as competition records, certificates, or original works must accompany nominations.

• Deadline: Submissions must be completed by Friday, October 17, 2025.

• Priority: Heads of institutions have been directed to treat this exercise with urgency to support CBC’s mission of nurturing individual talents.

A Photo Of Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec)

Conclusion

Nominating Grade 9 is a major milestone towards incorporating the Competency-Based Curriculum in the education system in Kenya. The focus on talents and interests in addition to academics has seen the Ministry of Education and KNEC putting learners on track where they are able to prosper and make significant contributions to society.

To achieve the success of this initiative, schools need to undertake objective, evidence-based nominations in accordance with the real potential of learners.

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