Religious Education has four lessons a week in Grade 9. Each learner takes one option: Christian Religious Education (CRE), Islamic Religious Education (IRE) or Hindu Religious Education (HRE). This page covers the two most common options, CRE and IRE, as of October 2026.
CRE: What the Grade 9 Design Covers
| Strand | Sub-strands |
|---|---|
| 1.0 Creation | Work |
| 2.0 The Bible | Christian moral values; Kings David and Solomon |
| 3.0 The Life and Ministry of Jesus Christ | Raising the widow’s son; healing the ten lepers; parable on prayer; Nicodemus’ encounter with Jesus; Jesus’ ministry in Jerusalem |
| 4.0 The Church | The early Church; the gifts of the Holy Spirit |
| 5.0 Christian Living Today | Courtship and marriage; responsible parenthood; leisure; wealth, money and poverty |
IRE: What the Grade 9 Design Covers
| Strand | Sub-strands |
|---|---|
| Qur’an | Ulum al-Qur’an; Surah Al-Hujurat (Q 49) |
| Hadith | Ulum al-Hadith; selected Hadith |
| Pillars of Iman | Belief in the Last Day; belief in Qadar |
| Devotional Acts | Shariah; Tawbah (repentance) |
| Akhlaq (moral values) | Virtues in Islam; significance of Islamic morality; prohibitions in Islam |
| Muamalat (social relations) | Domestic violence; Iddah; child custody; polygamy in Islam; trade and finance in Islam; contemporary issues |
| Islamic Heritage and Civilisation | Islam in Kenya; unity of Muslims |
Source: KICD Grade 9 curriculum designs. Both designs connect faith to everyday decisions about work, relationships, money and community. The CRE design, for instance, links the strand on work to choosing career paths.
How Religious Education Is Assessed in KJSEA
All three options are on Friday 30 October 2026, 11.10 a.m.–12.40 p.m. (1 hour 30 minutes): 908 CRE, 909 IRE and 910 HRE. A learner sits only the one they are registered for.
Revision Tips for Parents
- Read the set passages together. For CRE, read the Bible passages in each sub-strand. For IRE, read Surah Al-Hujurat and the selected Hadith with meaning.
- Apply the lesson. Questions often ask what a teaching means for a young person today. Practise “how would you apply this?” answers.
- Use faith leaders. A Sunday school teacher or madrasa teacher can help with difficult concepts.
Related Guides
See the KJSEA 2026 timetable, how to help your child revise, how KJSEA is graded and subject combinations for senior school. Back to the Grade 9 hub.
Sources
- KICD Grade 9 curriculum designs, junior school designs first published 2024 (strands and suggested lessons as printed).
- KNEC, 2026 KJSEA Timetable and Instructions (ref. KNEC/TD/SE/KJSEA/TT/2026/003).