KNEC School Transfer Process and Instructions in Kenya

By | December 25, 2023
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The government has put in place an orderly process to ensure that this transition maintains the quality of education and enables a smooth transition for learners.

It’s not just about a student’s desire to switch schools; it’s also about active collaboration between school administration, the Ministry of Education, and, in some situations, the County Education Office.

The Education Ministry has released a series of processes for prospective students to follow. Only students who follow this approach will be considered, according to the application form titled “Transfer and Admission Form.”

According to a letter from the ministry, no school is allowed to admit a student without a letter of transfer signed by directors of education in the sub-county and county.

Principals are mandated to provide release letters to students seeking transfers to other schools, explicitly stating the conduct of the student.

Additionally, the letter outlines that transfers in the middle of the year will only be permitted under special circumstances. If a school has vacancies to admit more students, the principal must issue a transfer letter, which should be signed by the principal.

The Ministry of Education has announced the Form One placement list for 2024, with over 1.4 million students chosen for various secondary schools.

Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu announced on Monday that 1,400,329 pupils who took the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exam have won Form One places.

There were 42,927 students placed in national schools, 2,225 in special schools, 274,746 in extra-county schools, 288,201 in county schools, and 792,230 in sub-county schools.

Certain conditions must be completed by those who seek to transfer from one secondary school to another. First and foremost, children should be assigned to a secondary school.

A letter of admission, which may be obtained online and must be signed by the student’s primary school principal, is required. A birth certificate copy is also necessary.

Timelines for such transfers can vary. If you want to change secondary schools, here’s a step-by-step guide:
To access the portal, follow these steps:

  • Begin by going to the Form One Placement Change Portal online.
  • Provide details: Choose your county, then your sub-county. Input your KCPE index number precisely.
  • Submit: After entering the details, submit the information.
  • Download and authenticate: Download the admission letter once it has been submitted. This document must be stamped by the principal of your primary school.
  • School confirmation: Deliver this stamped admission letter to your preferred school. The transfer request will subsequently be processed by the school principal via the NEMIS portal.
  • Allow time for approval: Transfer approval can often take up to three days. If there are any delays, please contact your county education office.

It is crucial to note that this approach is mostly for Form One students who have not yet begun their studies. Students in Forms 2 and 3 must use a different transfer process.

Check that your desired school has vacancies before beginning the transfer process to expedite the process. And, as you fill out your information, make sure you select the exact county where you sat for the 2023 KCPE examination.

Here are links to the most important news portals: