The Kenya Comprehensive School Heads Association (KECSHA) has told the Ministry of Education that it has not received any formal complaints or documented allegations of corruption in the placement of Grade 10 learners into Senior School under the Competency-Based Education (CBE) framework.
In a letter seen by Radio Generation, addressed to the Principal Secretary for Basic Education, Julius Bitok, KECSHA said that as of the date of its response, no reports had been submitted by school heads, parents, or guardians regarding malpractice in the placement exercise.
“As at the date of this response, KECSHA has not received any formal complaints, reports, or documented allegations from school heads, parents, or guardians relating to corruption or irregularities in the placement of Grade 10 learners into Senior School,” KECSHA Chairman Fuad Ali Abdalla said.
The response followed a request from the Ministry of Education seeking reports on alleged corruption in the placement process.
KECSHA reaffirmed its support for the ministry’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and integrity in implementing education reforms.
At the same time, the association acknowledged that the Grade 10 placement exercise marks a new and complex transition within the CBE structure, and identified several challenges observed during the process.
Among them is limited public understanding of placement criteria and pathways, which KECSHA said has led to anxiety and suspicion among parents and guardians.
The association also cited high demand for a limited number of schools offering certain pathways, perceived misalignment between learner interests and parental expectations, and inadequate real-time communication channels for resolving placement-related concerns.
“The Grade 10 placement exercise represents a new and complex transition within the CBE structure,” KECSHA noted, adding that these challenges require systematic attention even in the absence of proven malpractice.
To strengthen the placement process, KECSHA proposed enhanced public sensitisation on placement criteria, clearer and more transparent communication of outcomes and appeals mechanisms, and stronger digital systems with audit trails to minimise human discretion.
It also called for greater involvement of school heads in guidance and career advisory processes at the Junior School level.
“KECSHA remains committed to collaborating with the Ministry of Education and all relevant agencies to safeguard the credibility of the placement process and to ensure that learner transition into Senior School is fair, transparent, and learner-centred,” the letter said.
The association said it is ready to engage further with the ministry, including participating in stakeholder forums or consultations if required.
