The Kenya Education Management Institute (KEMI) has launched a national capacity-building programme for Heads of Institutions and Junior School (JSS) career guidance teachers to prepare for the Grade 10 transition. The programme, running from 17 August to 12 September 2026, includes confirmed transport reimbursements and daily lunch allowances for attending teachers. This article explains what to expect, why the training matters, the new Grade 10 selection rules, and the regional training schedule.
Key Takeaways
- KEMI allowances for JSS teachers cover transport reimbursements and daily lunch stipends paid to attendees via M-Pesa.
- Training runs from 17 August to 12 September 2026 and targets JSS career guidance teachers (in-person) and Heads of Institutions (virtually).
- Grade 9 learners will select 8 senior schools under the new Grade 10 selection guidelines.
- Sessions focus on psychometric data, parent communication, school capacity audits, and allowance disbursement procedures.
KEMI allowances for JSS teachers: what the programme includes
KEMI will pay transport refunds and lunch allowances directly to participating JSS career guidance teachers to remove financial barriers to attendance. The verification and stipend disbursement process will be handled at county venues to ensure timely payments and high attendance.
The programme is based on the circular KEMI/03/KPEEL/EXT/VOL. I/031 issued on 11 August 2026. Heads of Institutions will join virtual sessions while JSS career guidance teachers attend zonal and county in-person trainings. For administrative clarifications, KEMI designated a contact for logistical support.
Why this training matters for Grade 10 selection
The capacity-building is timed to support the official Grade 10 selection rollout when schools reopen. Career guidance teachers are critical in helping learners choose appropriate senior school pathways and subject combinations. The training equips teachers to interpret assessments and psychometric profiles so learners are matched to suitable pathways and schools.
Senior school pathways and subject load
- Pathways: STEM (compulsory at national level), Social Sciences, and Arts & Sports.
- Subject load: Every learner takes seven subjects across Grades 10–12: four core subjects and three pathway-specific subjects.
The four core subjects are: English, Kiswahili (or Kenya Sign Language), Community Service Learning (CSL), and Physical Education (PE). Teachers will be trained on advising students about pathway choices and subject combinations within the new structure.
New Grade 10 school selection guidelines
Under the revised selection model for 2026, each Grade 9 learner will choose eight senior schools. The selection mix is:
- 3 National (C1) schools
- 2 Extra County (C2) schools
- 2 County (C3) schools
- 1 Sub-County (C4) day school in the learner’s home sub-county
Placement will use five pillars: Learner Choice, Merit, Psychometric Tests, Equity, and School Capacity. A special inclusion rule prioritises the top six learners per gender in each STEM track per sub-county for boarding placement.
What teachers will learn each day
- Decoding psychometric data: interpreting KNEC aptitude reports to guide realistic pathway choices.
- Managing parent expectations: communication strategies for the 8-school selection period.
- Infrastructure and pre-selection audits: how to assess school capacity before finalising subject offerings.
- Financial logistics briefing: step-by-step guidance on allowance verification and M-Pesa disbursements.
Regional training venues and schedule (selected counties)
KEMI set up zonal and county venues across regions. Examples of scheduled venues and dates include:
- Coast: St. John’s Girls Secondary School (Kaloleni) — 27–28 August 2026; Aldina Visram Secondary (Mombasa) — 31 Aug–1 Sep 2026.
- Nairobi: St. George’s Primary (Langata) — 17–18 August 2026; Moi Forces Primary (Mathare) — 24–25 August 2026.
- Eastern (Makueni, Embu, Machakos): multiple venues between 24 August and 11 September 2026.
More venues and regional batches will be added; teachers should check with county offices for the final schedule and verification procedures.
Practical steps for career guidance teachers
- Confirm your allocated county venue and dates with the county office.
- Bring official ID and employment verification documents for allowance processing.
- Review available senior school curriculum designs and JSS guidance notes ahead of training: see the Grade 10 curriculum designs and JSS teaching notes.
- Prepare to learn psychometric interpretation and parent communication techniques; related senior school resources are available in the senior school curriculum designs repository.
Conclusion
This KEMI national capacity-building programme, combined with targeted allowances, aims to ensure career guidance teachers are fully prepared for the Grade 10 selection. By covering logistics, psychometric interpretation, and school capacity auditing, the training strengthens equitable placements and supports a smoother transition to Senior School for learners.
