Govt Speaks On Reports Of Rebranding Secondary Schools, Converting Them To Mixed Gender
The disputed video claimed that the transition to mixed-gender schools would begin in January 2026, coinciding with the move of the first CBC cohort—currently in Grade 9—to senior secondary school.
Viral Tea Ke Writer 
The Ministry of Education has denied claims that it intends to turn all secondary schools in Kenya into mixed-gender institutions as part of its education reform efforts, which would see secondary schools cease to exist from 2026.
In a short statement on Saturday, March 1, the ministry refuted a viral TikTok video that alleged the government was planning a major revision of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) impacting all secondary schools.
The disputed video claimed that the transition to mixed-gender schools would begin in January 2026, coinciding with the move of the first CBC cohort—currently in Grade 9—to senior secondary school.
The false social media post also alleged that all secondary schools would be restructured into specialized career pathways, replacing the existing classification of national, extra-county, county, and sub-county schools.
Nairobi School students during a past trip by President William Ruto on January 12, 2025. /PCS
“You have heard that all the secondary schools will be called senior schools soon and will be categorised under career pathways and not national schools or extra county schools,” the flagged TikTok video claimed.
"From next year, a boys school is expected to be a mixed school as per the recommendations of the CBC; all senior schools will be mixed schools.”
According to the misleading video, the government's proposal to convert all secondary schools into mixed-gender institutions was intended to foster equality and inclusivity among students. Such claims left parents uneasy as they struggled to understand the reasoning behind converting schools into mixed-gender institutions.
It also alleged that the Ministry of Education plans to transform all boarding schools into day schools starting next year. “I do not know if this will work, but all schools will be day schools. This is the confusion that is waiting Kenyans from next year,” the video suggested.
Meanwhile, this year, traditional secondary schools did not admit Form One students, as Grade 8 learners progressed to Grade 9 in Junior Secondary Schools under the new curriculum. However, the transition to Grade 9 faced several challenges, particularly due to inadequate infrastructure. Education Principal Secretary (PS) Belio Kipsang acknowledged that the government had yet to complete the construction of classrooms designated for Grade 9 students.
On Monday, January 6, 2025, Kipsang confirmed that Grade 9 students would begin the academic year as planned. He stated that school heads had been instructed to implement temporary measures to accommodate students while the government finalizes classroom construction within 30 days.
For instance, he mentioned that some classes could be combined where space allows, and students could use vacant classrooms when others participate in outdoor activities like Physical Education (PE).
The education system is shifting from the 8-4-4 structure to the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). The traditional system will be phased out in 2027 when the final Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exam is taken by students currently in Form Two.
