False start for Grade 10 as placement hitches, textbook shortages loom
The more than 1.1 million Grade 10 pupils are facing a turbulent start to senior school amid mounting concerns over textbook shortages, unresolved placement challenges, and an inadequate number of trained Senior School teachers.
The situation threatens to undermine the smooth transition to the new Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) senior school phase scheduled to begin in January 2026.
The Kenya Publishers Association (KPA) has raised alarm over an impending learning crisis, blaming government delays in releasing funds needed to publish Grade 10 textbooks.
Speaking during a press briefing on Tuesday, October 7, 205, KPA warned that failure to release Sh11.4billion could jeopardise the availability of learning materials for over one million learners expected to report to senior school early next year.
KPA chairman Kiarie Kamau said the funding delays have stalled the printing of more than seven million copies of textbooks required for the 2026 academic calendar. He noted that publishers are unable to settle obligations owed to key service providers due to the delayed payments.
“Because we have not been paid, publishers have been unable to meet financial commitments to printers, distributors, authors, and statutory agencies,” Kamau said.
Printers alone are owed an estimated Sh4billion, while additional costs related to nationwide distribution are projected at Sh2.5billion.
This brings the total funding requirement to about Sh11.6billion. Kamau warned that continued delays could severely disrupt the supply chain, leaving schools without essential learning materials when the academic year begins.
Compounding the crisis, thousands of learners are still without school placements after changing their career pathways, raising concerns over congestion, inequitable access, and administrative bottlenecks in the placement process.
Education stakeholders warn that unless urgent action is taken, Grade 10 learners risk beginning senior school without textbooks, clear placement, or sufficient teaching staff conditions that could severely compromise the quality of learning and derail the CBC transition at a critical stage.
