Kenya Achieves 97% School Transition Rate: Enrollment Drive Succeeds

The government of Kenya and parents have recorded strong national progress in implementing the 100 per cent School Transition Policy, with 97 per cent of learners who completed Grade 6 in 2025 successfully moving on to junior secondary school. The milestone signals near-universal compliance with the Competency-Based Curriculum progression framework and reflects growing momentum in learner access, retention, and progression across the country. According to a report compiled by National Government Administrative Officers in collaboration with County Directors of Education, the transition gains underline sustained efforts by both the government and parents to keep children in school. The report notes that Kenya is maintaining “strong momentum on both learner access, retention, and progression,” even as authorities continue to pursue full compliance with the policy. The government reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that every learner transitions to the next level of education, describing full transition as a national priority. “We reaffirm the government's commitment to full transition as a national imperative: every child has a human and constitutional right to education and we all should work together to avoid preventable dropouts driven by cost barriers, delayed placement, or social vulnerabilities,” the statement reads. Beyond Junior Secondary School, the report indicates that 61 per cent of eligible learners have already joined Senior Secondary School, with enrolment still ongoing in various parts of the country. To accommodate families facing challenges, reporting timelines have been extended following concerns raised by stakeholders. The move aims to ensure inclusivity and reach learners who are yet to report or complete placement procedures. Authorities say coordinated community-level actions are continuing across counties to trace and re-engage learners who have not transitioned. “We appreciate all Kenyans who are part of our community-led interventions anchored in local accountability,” the government said, adding that targeted interventions are being intensified “to ensure every eligible learner transitions smoothly across all pathways.” Key measures being implemented include door-to-door tracing and household mapping to identify learners who have not reported. Community sensitisation forums are also being held through barazas, religious institutions and other local platforms to mobilise parents and guardians. Financial support remains a key focus, with bursaries and scholarships being coordinated through county governments, the National Government Constituencies Development Fund and administrative officers to reduce financial exclusion. Despite the gains, the report acknowledges that some barriers continue to slow down Senior Secondary School transition. These include financial constraints, isolated cases of early pregnancies, learner absenteeism or reluctance, and placement delays linked to families seeking alternative schools. In response, both government actors and parents are strengthening bursary mobilisation, counselling and re-entry support, as well as community engagement through local leadership structures. Faster placement guidance is also being prioritised. The government said the progress achieved goes beyond policy compliance. “This progress reflects more than compliance, it reflects a growing national culture that recognizes education as the most reliable path to productivity, opportunity and national transformation,” the statement said. With sustained community collaboration and continued institutional coordination, authorities say Kenya remains firmly on course to ensure that every learner is supported and able to pursue their education ambitions.