Confusion persists as parents flock to Senior Schools amid Grade 10 placement review

Across the country, anxious parents are thronging senior secondary schools in a last-ditch effort to secure slots for their children.

The rush follows the opening of a second review window on Monday, with the Ministry of Education directing that the process be initiated at the senior schools of choice.

But even as parents queue and submit requests, many remain in the dark about the fate of their children, with several schools already declaring they are at full capacity.

With barely five days to the reporting date for the inaugural Grade Ten class, anxiety is gripping hundreds of parents across the country, many of whom are still unsure where their children will begin senior secondary school.

At Machakos Boys High School, a notice pasted at the main gate tells a story playing out in many C1 schools nationwide — overwhelmed systems, unanswered questions, and parents stranded at a crossroads, waiting for clarity on their children’s future.

“Nilikuja hapa Monday kuleta results za mtoto wangu, wakasema watatupigia simu jana. Nikangoja, sikupigiwa. Leo nimekuwa nikingoja, wakasema mwisho leo saa nane. Hiyo saa nane haijafika, lakini sioni dalili,” said Winfred Mbai, a resident of Machakos.

“Nilifika hapa saa tatu asubuhi na bado niko hapa jioni, inaelekea saa kumi. Sitoki, naendelea kukaa hapa nikisubiri mwalimu mkuu anipatie jibu,” said Venic Juma, a resident.

“Nilifika hapa by seven. Hata sijakula, ni maji tu tunakunywa hapa. Lakini kwa ufupi, hatujapata majibu. Wamesema tungoje ifike Friday ndio sasa watatuambie,” added Benard Mokaya, a resident of Nyamira.

In a bid to ease the pressure, Education Cabinet Secretary Migos Ogamba on Monday opened a second review window for Grade Ten placement, a process to be initiated at learners’ preferred senior secondary schools.

But even as parents stream in, school heads say their hands remain tied, forced to advise without the authority to admit learners.

“We have received over 300 requests from parents because the government does not allow us to issue admission letters. But I am humbly requesting the ministry to allow us to admit as per our capacity,” said Mark Mose, Principal of Nyansiongo Boys High School.

Manoo Benson, Chief Principal at Machakos School, noted that:

“We have received almost 800 requests for placement, and they can be considered in case some students do not turn up. Then we can be able to assist them.”

“There were 25 slots declared for Kisumu Boys, so we sought clarification from the ministry, and now we are in the procedure of initiating the transfers online,” said Truphosa Mutola, Deputy Principal of Kisumu Boys School.

An estimated 1.13 million learners are expected to join Grade Ten next Monday.

During the first placement review phase, the Ministry of Education received more than 343,000 requests. The second review window remains open until January 9 — a race against time for parents hoping certainty will finally replace confusion.