The Ministry of Education, the Kenya National Examinations Council, and the ICT Authority are in charge of the selection process with results expected next week.
This gives parents enough time to prepare their children for Form One admission scheduled for next month.
Due to “poor choices,” some candidates who received high marks in the 2021 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examination results may be denied admission to their desired schools.
This is because the admissions process is fully automated and as is customary, stiff competition for places in prestigious schools is expected.
National schools can only accept about 5,570 students. In the 2021 cohort, 11,857 candidates scored between 400 and 428 points, with the majority aspiring to attend national schools.
“We shall ensure that all children are given equal, fair and just treatment, including those in the slums and far-flung areas,” said Prof Magoha.
The top ten candidates (five boys and five girls) from each sub-county will be placed in the national schools of their choice during the selection process.
There are 290 sub-counties, which means that 2,900 students from across the country will be able to attend their preferred schools.
The vacancies in national schools will be shared 50:50 by students from private and public schools. Affirmative action is used to select top candidates from urban slums to attend national schools.
This means that candidates who performed well but come from areas with a high concentration of top marks may be denied admission to their first-choice school.
The ministry employs a 15:35:50 ratio for extra-county schools. The host sub-county receives 15% of the vacancies, the county receives 35%, and candidates from other regions receive 50%.
Because all special needs institutions are classified as national schools, students from all over the country are admitted.
The vast majority of candidates will be placed in day schools in sub-county institutions.
Inmates over the age of 18 and those from refugee camps will not be considered for selection.
