Kenya’s education system is undergoing a major transformation as Mathematics will no longer be a compulsory subject for students transitioning to senior secondary school. This shift, part of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) reforms, is designed to provide students with more flexibility in choosing subjects aligned with their strengths and career aspirations.
Key Curriculum Changes
Under the revised system, all students must take the following core subjects:
- Language Option: English or Kenyan Sign Language
- Kiswahili
- Physical Education (PE)
- Community Service Learning
Additionally, students are required to select at least two science subjects from Physics, Chemistry, or Biology. This marks a significant departure from the previous 8-4-4 system, where Mathematics was mandatory alongside other core subjects.
Subject Selection and Pathways
Grade 9 students will now begin the process of selecting their preferred subjects and identifying senior schools that align with their chosen pathways. The CBC offers three specialized pathways for learners in Grade 10:
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
- Social Sciences
- Arts and Sports Science
Each senior school will offer at least two of these pathways, with STEM remaining an option but not a requirement for all students.
Enrollment Regulations and Transition
To ensure a smooth transition, the Ministry of Education will regulate the number of students advancing to Grade 10 within the same Junior Secondary School (JSS), allowing a maximum of only five learners per institution. This is aimed at optimizing resources and fostering a structured learning environment.
Basic Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang emphasized that these reforms are intended to create a more learner-centered education system, allowing students to specialize in subjects that best suit their interests and future careers.
With these sweeping changes, Kenya’s senior school curriculum is set to become more flexible, offering students greater autonomy while still maintaining a strong foundation in essential academic and practical skills.
