Grade Nine learners who sat the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) in 2025 will receive their results through a dedicated SMS service, the Ministry of Education has confirmed, setting the stage for the transition into senior secondary institutions early next year.
Under the newly announced system, parents, guardians, teachers or candidates will obtain the results by sending the learner’s assessment number to 22263 at a charge of Ksh 30 per message. The platform will provide complete results, including information on each learner’s assigned senior school pathway under the competency-based curriculum (CBC).
Officials said the move is intended to simplify access and ensure swift communication with more than one million students who completed the nationwide assessment between October 27 and November 3, 2025. The results mark a significant milestone for the CBC rollout as the pioneer cohort progresses to senior school under the new structure.
Education stakeholders have been closely awaiting the release of the results, following earlier assurances by the Ministry that the process would be completed in early December. With the grading and moderation stage now concluded, the government is seeking to avoid bottlenecks in the next steps of learner placement.
Once the announcement is made, senior secondary school placement is expected to begin within a week. Learners will then be able to download admission letters before December 25, enabling families to prepare for reporting to their designated schools by January 12, 2026.
The transition underscores the significance of pathway selection, a core feature of senior school under CBC. Students are guided into one of three major pathways: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), Social Sciences, or the Arts and Sports Sciences. Placement considers both learner interest and performance to support future careers and national economic priorities.
Education analysts say the rollout of pathway assignments through the results system will test readiness among schools and counties, as the government continues to invest in infrastructure upgrades, laboratory expansion and teacher capacity. The Ministry has outlined plans to provide additional support to institutions expected to receive high enrolment in STEM pathways, given the increasing focus on manufacturing, technology and digital innovation.
Meanwhile, the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) has raised alarm over reports of individuals falsely claiming they can alter results for a fee. In a statement, the Council warned parents and learners against falling victim to the scams and stressed that KJSEA results are securely processed and cannot be changed once submitted for release.
“Parents should remain alert and avoid fraudsters who promise to manipulate results. No scores can be altered at any stage following the established verification procedures,” a KNEC official said.
The Council added that monitoring systems would remain in place to detect irregular access attempts and safeguard the integrity of assessment records. Law enforcement agencies have also been notified to take action where evidence of fraud is detected.
The use of SMS as the primary access method aligns with previous measures deployed for national examination results in Kenya, particularly in high-demand periods when online systems experience heavy traffic. Mobile-based dissemination aims to ensure that families without internet access or digital devices are not disadvantaged.
Telecommunications companies have been working with the Ministry and KNEC to ensure adequate network capacity and efficient delivery as millions of inquiries are processed within a short timeframe.
Despite improvements, concerns persist over the cost of SMS services for low-income households already coping with back-to-school expenses. Education advocacy groups have urged the government to explore cost-sharing options, including discounted access or provisions for vulnerable learners, to ensure equity in result distribution.
Parents and teachers have also expressed interest in more detailed post-assessment reports, including feedback that can help guide learners’ strengths as they enter the specialised senior school framework. Officials have indicated that such enhancements may be considered in later cycles once the system is fully stabilised.
The rollout of KJSEA results and the senior school placement process mark another critical transition point in Kenya’s education reform, with the government under pressure to demonstrate that earlier challenges faced at junior school level will not be repeated. Infrastructure gaps, teacher shortages and resource allocation disparities have remained core areas of debate throughout implementation.
For now, attention remains focused on ensuring that results are delivered seamlessly, pathways are assigned accurately, and learners can move to their new institutions without delays. With the reporting date set for January 12, many families are expected to begin planning immediately for uniforms, boarding arrangements and transport as the festive season approaches.
The Ministry has urged schools and parents to avoid last-minute preparations and instead take advantage of the longer notice period provided through early release of results. As the pioneer CBC cohort prepares for the next stage of its learning journey, the effectiveness of the transition will likely shape public confidence in Kenya’s evolving education landscape.
