The Government of Kenya (GoK) introduced the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) in 2017 as part of education reforms founded on national and international legal and policy frameworks.
Under the CBC, senior secondary schools for Grades 10 to 12 are grouped into four categories: C1, C2, C3 and C4. The categories replaced the former national, extra-county, county and sub-county classifications.
These categories indicate the level at which schools draw learners, their selectivity, and the CBC pathways they must or can offer.
What C1, C2, C3 and C4 Mean
C1 – National-level schools
C1 schools are the highest category of senior schools and draw learners from across the country. They are designed to provide national-level competition and integration.
C1 schools must offer all three CBC pathways: STEM, Social Sciences, and Arts & Sports Science. They generally provide a wider range of subject combinations and facilities.
Learners must select three C1 schools among their eight senior-school choices. These are the most competitive options in the selection process.
For 2026/2027, the annual parent contribution for C1 boarding senior schools is listed as KSh 53,554. Tuition is funded by the government.
C2 – Extra-county schools
C2 schools are the second category and traditionally correspond to extra-county schools. They admit learners from more than one county and provide a broader regional catchment.
Their pathway and subject offerings vary by school, depending on available teachers, facilities and approved combinations. Some offer two pathways while others offer three.
Learners must select two C2 schools from their eight choices. They provide alternatives for learners who may not secure their preferred C1 schools.
The annual parent contribution for C2 boarding senior schools for 2026/2027 is listed as KSh 45,054.
Also Read: From Free to KSh 53,554: What C1, C2, C3 and C4 Senior School Fees Will Cost Parents Next Year
C3 – County schools
C3 schools mainly serve learners within their respective counties. The category includes both boarding and day schools, depending on the individual institution.
Their pathways and subject combinations vary based on the school’s capacity, staffing, and facilities. Options may include STEM, Social Sciences, or Arts & Sports Science.
Learners must select two C3 schools among their eight choices. These choices provide county-level alternatives within the placement structure.
The annual parent contribution for C3 boarding senior schools for 2026/2027 is listed as KSh 40,035. Day schools fall under the Free Day Secondary Education program.
C4 – Sub-county schools
C4 schools mainly serve learners within their local sub-counties and are predominantly day schools. They provide access to senior secondary education closer to learners’ homes.
Their pathway and subject combinations depend on available facilities, teachers, and local demand. They generally have fewer combinations than higher-category schools.
Learners must select one C4 day school from their eight choices. The choice forms part of the placement structure for senior school.
C4 day schools fall under the Free Day Secondary Education programme, meaning there is no tuition fee, although other approved school-related costs may apply.
How the categories are used in Grade 10 selection
When Grade 9 learners select senior schools for Grade 10, they choose eight schools distributed across the four categories:
- 3 C1 schools
- 2 C2 schools
- 2 C3 schools
- 1 C4 day school
Also Read: Top 6 Counties With the Most CBC Pathway Options for Grade 10 Learners
The structure gives learners options across national, regional, county and local schools while also ensuring they have a nearby day-school option. The C1–C4 category does not, by itself, determine school fees.
Government capitation and parent contributions depend mainly on whether a school is a day or boarding institution and the type of boarding offered.
As a result, parents may face different costs depending on the school’s boarding arrangement and other approved contributions, rather than simply whether the school is classified as C1, C2, C3, or C4.
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education system on August 16, 2022.PHOTO/ MOE
