Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development Deputy Director of Secondary Education Subira Neema addresses the media on efforts to address textbook shortages in schools following changes in Grade 10 subject choices in Kisumu on Monday, October 12, 2026.
Grade 10 learners who changed their subject choices after joining senior school are facing textbook shortages, prompting the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) to seek updated enrolment figures from schools.
The shortages have emerged as learners settle into the senior school curriculum, with some institutions reporting that the textbooks supplied do not match the subjects students are currently studying.
Speaking at Joel Omino Senior School in Kisumu on Monday, October 12, 2026, KICD Deputy Director of Secondary Education Subira Neema said the problem arose partly because some learners selected different subjects from those they had initially chosen while in junior school.
The changes have created a mismatch between the learning materials distributed to schools and the subjects learners are now pursuing.
According to Neema, the initial textbook distribution was based on information collected before learners transitioned to Grade 10. Subsequent changes to subject selections therefore created gaps that the original distribution figures had not accounted for.
“Some of them shifted from some of the subjects they had chosen earlier, and they then chose others,” Neema said.
“Because we used the data that was based on the choices they made in junior school, we found that some of those issues came up,” she added.
The development highlights the logistical challenges of supplying learning materials under the new senior school system, where learners pursue subjects based on their interests, strengths and future career aspirations.
KICD Seeks Updated School Enrolment Figures
KICD has asked schools to submit updated enrolment figures showing the number of learners taking different subjects to help determine the extent of the shortages.
The information is expected to enable the institute to identify institutions that require additional textbooks and establish which subjects need more learning materials.
By comparing the updated figures with the information used during the initial distribution, the institute hopes to identify discrepancies and respond to the specific needs reported by schools.
Neema acknowledged that KICD had received complaints from institutions across different education levels, suggesting that the challenge was not limited to senior schools.
“We have been receiving communication from schools, not only at senior school, but across the levels of education, and we are addressing the needs as they come in,” she said.
She urged school administrators experiencing shortages to contact the institute directly so that the issues could be addressed.
“We continue requesting all those schools that have issues to just reach out to us. You can call, you can write an email so that we are able to address your special needs,” Neema stated.
However, the institute did not disclose the number of schools affected, the total quantity of additional textbooks required or the expected timeline for delivering the missing materials.
As a result, schools facing shortages remain dependent on the institute’s assessment and subsequent action to determine when the required learning materials will become available.
Concerns Over Access to Approved Textbooks
The shortages have raised concerns about access to appropriate learning materials as learners adjust to the senior school curriculum.
Textbooks play an important role in supporting classroom instruction, reinforcing concepts taught by teachers and enabling learners to study independently.
When the materials supplied to a school do not correspond to the subjects being taught, learners and teachers may have to rely on alternative resources while waiting for the correct books.
The situation also highlights the importance of maintaining accurate enrolment information and updating distribution plans whenever learners change their subject choices.
For schools with limited access to supplementary learning materials, delays in supplying the correct textbooks could create additional challenges in lesson preparation and classroom learning.
Neema also advised parents and teachers to ensure that the textbooks used in schools have been approved by KICD.
She said the institute maintains an Orange Book listing approved learning materials for different grades and subjects.
The list helps schools and parents identify textbooks that meet the prescribed curriculum requirements.
“If you are in doubt, you can also get in touch with the institute. We are able to advise accordingly,” Neema said.
Parents and school administrators were encouraged to seek clarification from KICD whenever they were uncertain about whether particular learning materials had been approved.
Schools Await Resolution of Textbook Shortages
The request for updated enrolment figures marks a step towards identifying the schools and subjects most affected by the shortages.
However, the effectiveness of the exercise will depend on how quickly schools submit accurate information and how promptly the institute responds to the additional requirements.
Schools will also need clear communication regarding the availability and distribution of the missing textbooks to support planning for classroom instruction.
For affected Grade 10 learners, the immediate concern remains access to learning materials that correspond to their current subject choices.
As the senior school system continues to take shape, the ability to adjust textbook distribution to reflect changes in learners’ academic pathways will remain important in ensuring that schools receive the materials they need.
KICD has called on institutions experiencing shortages to report their needs directly, but the institute has yet to announce a specific deadline for completing the exercise or supplying additional textbooks.
