Maths No Longer Compulsory for Senior School Students
The Ministry of Education has introduced a major change in the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) for Grade 10 students. Unlike the 8-4-4 system, where Mathematics was a compulsory subject, students in senior school can now choose whether to take it or not.
Key Changes in the New Curriculum
Under CBC, all senior school students must take these four core subjects:
- English
- Kiswahili or Kenya Sign Language
- Community Service Learning
- Physical Education
Apart from these, students can choose three optional subjects based on their preferred learning pathway. The Ministry has classified these pathways into three categories:
1. Arts and Sports Science Pathway
Students interested in arts and sports can pick subjects like:
- Fine Arts
- Music and Dance
- Theatre and Film
- Physical Education, Sports, and Recreation
2. Social Sciences Pathway
This includes subjects like:
- Business Studies
- History and Citizenship
- Geography
- Religious Education (Christian, Islamic, Hindu)
- Community Service Learning
- Languages and Literature
3. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Pathway
This pathway includes:
- Pure Sciences: Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, General Science
- Applied Sciences: Agriculture, Computer Science, Home Science
- Technical Studies
Emphasis on STEM Subjects
The Ministry aims to have 60% of Grade Nine students join STEM pathways starting in January 2026. According to Basic Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang, students will begin choosing their subjects in the second term after discussing options with their parents.
“We are giving them time to go home so that parents and learners can consult on their interests and what they wish to pursue. The selection process will begin immediately when they return to school,” Kipsang told The Standard.
New Student Placement Rule
The Ministry has also proposed a new rule to limit the number of students from the same junior secondary school joining a single senior school to a maximum of five. This move aims to improve diversity in placement, though some stakeholders believe it may be difficult to implement, especially for day schools that serve local communities.
Conclusion
The CBC reform is a significant shift from the traditional education system, offering students more flexibility in subject selection. While some welcome the changes, others have raised concerns about implementation. The coming years will reveal how well the new system supports students in their academic and career goals.
Maths No Longer Compulsory for Senior School Students
