PS Bitok Confirms Grade 10 Placements Before Christmas, Explains Process

Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok has assured parents and learners that Grade 10 placement letters will be ready before Christmas. 

He spoke on Monday, November 17, in Kikuyu, where he explained the Ministry of Education’s plan for moving learners to senior school under the Competency-Based Curriculum.

The 2025 Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) exams were completed on November 3. Bitok confirmed that the results will be released by December 11. 

He said the ministry will begin the placement process one week after the results are made public. 

According to him, learners are expected to report to their new schools by January 12, 2026.

Bitok said the ministry has already prepared strong guidelines to ensure that the transition to Grade 10 is smooth. 

He added that there should be no confusion because the process will follow clear steps from start to finish. 

His comments were meant to calm parents who have been anxious about timelines, especially with the new curriculum still facing many questions.

The PS also addressed the issue of school fees. He assured parents that there will be no changes in school fees for the coming year. 

He said the government’s policy on free primary and secondary education remains in place. 

According to Bitok, if any changes are ever needed, only the government will make the official announcement.

To support the transition process, the ministry is working closely with the National Treasury to make sure that capitation funds are released on time. 

Bitok said the government wants all schools to run smoothly from the first term of 2026. Capitation funds help schools buy learning materials, support daily operations, and keep students in class.

He also revealed that the ministry has been carrying out a verification exercise to confirm the number of learners and schools in the country. 

This process will ensure that schools with wrong or unverified records do not receive government money. Bitok said the verification was requested by the Auditor General, and the ministry has spent several months collecting accurate data.

The PS ended his speech by promising that the ministry is committed to a smooth transition for all learners. 

He urged parents to stay calm and trust the process as the government works to support education across the country.