Last reviewed: 24 October 2026
Every Grade 9 learner chooses senior schools before KJSEA. When results come out, some families realise the choices no longer fit, perhaps because results were stronger than expected, or because a boarding school is out of reach on fees. For the first cohort in 2025, the Ministry of Education allowed a short window to revise choices. This guide explains how that worked and how to prepare, though the 2026 arrangements have not yet been announced.
On this page
The Original Choices
For the first cohort, each learner chose a pathway with a three-subject combination and then 12 senior schools, according to reports in The Star and the Daily Nation:
- nine boarding schools: three in their home county and six outside it; and
- three day schools in their home sub-county.
Choices were made through the Ministry’s online selection system before KJSEA, with guidance from teachers and parents.
The Five-Day Revision Window in 2025
The Ministry said learners could revise their choices for five days after results were released, similar to how KUCCPS lets university applicants revise their course choices. Five days is short. Families who had already done their homework were best placed to use it.
We do not yet know whether the same window, or the same length, will apply for the 2026 cohort. Watch for announcements from the Ministry of Education and your child’s school.
Reasons Families Revise
- Results stronger than expected. A learner might now be competitive for a C1 or C2 school they did not choose.
- Results weaker than expected. Adding realistic options improves the chance of a good match.
- Pathway rethink. Results by learning area may point to a different pathway.
- Fees. Boarding schools may charge up to KSh 53,554 or KSh 40,535 a year under the gazetted ceilings, while day schools charge nothing.
- Distance and safety. Day school choices should be realistic to reach every day.
Prepare Now
- List the current 12 choices. Ask the school for a printout if you do not have one.
- Look each school up. Our Senior School Finder shows every public senior school’s cluster, county, sub-county, boarding status and gender. Each county page in our senior schools hub lists schools from C1 to C4.
- Build a backup list. Note three or four alternatives in each category so you can act fast if a window opens.
- Check the day schools carefully. They are fee-free and the realistic fallback. Read why day school choices matter.
- Agree as a family. Discuss the pathway and schools with your child before results, so decisions are not made in a rush.
Questions to Ask Your Child’s School
Ask the class teacher or head teacher how the school will support families during any revision window, whether computers will be available, and who to contact if the online system has problems. Knowing this before results day saves time when the window is short.
Watch for Scams
No one can sell a place in a public senior school. The Education Cabinet Secretary has told parents to report such demands to education offices or the police.
Related Guides
See how to choose 12 senior schools, the placement and pathways guide and senior school fees 2026. While you wait, the Monthly Pass at KSh 500 keeps every paper and revision book open for younger siblings.
Ten-minute check: try the free Grade 9 CBC Challenge. It has 10 questions, each marked on the spot with the working, and it shows which topics to practise next.