Transitioning to Grade 10: Are We Ready For The Leap?
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
As we stride toward a transformative era in education with the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), the transition to Grade 10 in January 2026 marks a pivotal moment. Introduced in 2017 to replace the traditional 8-4-4 system, the CBC’s 2-6-3-3 structure—2 years of pre-primary, 6 years of primary, 3 years of junior secondary (Grades 7-9), and 3 years of senior secondary (Grades 10-12)—promises a practical, skills-based approach to learning. Yet, with approximately 1.27 million students gearing up for this milestone, significant hurdles threaten to overshadow its potential. This blog post offers parents, teachers, school directors, administrators, and stakeholders in the Kenyan education sector a detailed look at these challenges, the government’s efforts to address them, and what this means for our students’ futures.
How Many Students Are Transitioning to Grade 10?
Research pegs the number of students expected to transition to Grade 10 in 2026 at around 1.27 million, based on the 2023 Grade 6 enrollment who took the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA). These students, currently in Grade 9 as of March 2025, are the pioneer cohort of the CBC. While the government has achieved an impressive 96% transition rate to junior secondary in 2023, historical dropout rates of 5-10% suggest that the actual number could range between 1.14 and 1.21 million. This massive cohort underscores the urgency of preparing for a smooth transition.
The Key Challenges Facing the Transition
1. Infrastructure Shortages: Too Few Classrooms for Too Many Students
One major stumbling block is the lack of adequate infrastructure. As of early 2025, only 13,200 out of 16,000 targeted classrooms have been built, leaving a gap of 2,800 still under construction. This shortfall hits rural areas hardest, where overcrowding is common. The Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA) warns that such conditions limit teacher-student interaction and make it tough to spot learners needing extra support, potentially driving up dropout rates.
2. Teacher Deficits: A Shortage of 60,000 Educators
The transition demands a robust teaching force, but the numbers don’t add up. Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) currently have 80,000 teachers, while 140,000 are needed, creating a deficit of 60,000. Beyond numbers, many teachers require retraining to master the CBC’s hands-on methodologies. The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has called for training to start by September 2025 to avoid a chaotic rush. In North Eastern Kenya, insecurity has led to over 3,000 teachers being transferred, worsening the pupil-teacher ratio.
3. Financial Barriers: Hidden Costs Despite Free Education
While the government champions free education, families still shoulder significant costs: uniforms, meals, transport, learning materials, and Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) contributions. Boarding school fees add up—Ksh 53,554 for Category A, Ksh 40,535 for Category B, and Ksh 12,790 for support needs schools, despite increased capitation of Ksh 22,244 for regular students and Ksh 57,974 for support needs. For low-income families, these expenses can be a dealbreaker, jeopardizing students’ progression to Grade 10.
4. Regional and Gender Disparities: Unequal Access Across Kenya
Transition rates reveal stark contrasts. Nairobi boasts a 65% rate, Kirinyaga 62.1%, and Kiambu 60.5%, while Samburu lags at 16.5%, Kwale at 15.5%, and Turkana at 9.3%. Rural areas suffer from poverty, distant schools, and poor infrastructure. Gender gaps persist too, with boys outpacing girls in enrollment since 2014, driven by cultural biases favoring male education in some communities.
5. Learning Materials: Delays in Delivery
Preparation hinges on timely resources. By January 2025, 9.9 million Grade 9 books were printed, with 85% of schools receiving them. Yet, the remaining 15% face delays, especially in remote areas, risking students’ readiness for Grade 10’s specialized pathways like STEM or Arts.
Government Efforts: Steps Toward Solutions
The government isn’t standing still. Beyond the 13,200 classrooms built, Phase Four construction continues in some counties. Teacher recruitment includes 20,000 interns hired and 46,000 converted to permanent roles. Increased capitation eases financial strain, and sensitization programs tackle cultural barriers. While progress varies—rural areas lag behind—these steps signal a commitment to the CBC’s success.
The Way Forward
The transition to Grade 10 is a test of Kenya’s education system. With 1.14 to 1.21 million students poised to take this step, overcoming infrastructure deficits, teacher shortages, financial barriers, disparities, and material delays is no small feat. However, every challenge is also an opportunity—to build more classrooms, train more teachers, and ensure every child, from Nairobi to Turkana, boy or girl, has a shot at quality education.
How do these challenges affect your school or community? Have you witnessed innovative solutions being implemented? Share your insights and let’s work together to shape a brighter future for Kenyan education!