The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
Related Articles
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has announced that mathematics will once again be a required subject across all senior secondary school pathways.
This decision comes after significant backlash from professionals and the public following an earlier proposal to remove mathematics as a compulsory subject for some students under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
Ogamba said the Ministry of Education reconsidered the initial plan after receiving feedback during public consultations. He confirmed that all three senior school pathways—STEM, Arts and Sports Science, and Social Sciences—will now include mathematics, though in varying forms.
“Most stakeholders in the CBC discussions expressed that mathematics should remain mandatory in senior school. We’ve heard you and, after discussions with the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development, decided to require a version of mathematics in all pathways, even those outside STEM,” Ogamba explained.
He made the announcement during the National Conversation on CBC, noting that STEM students will continue to study advanced mathematics, while learners in the other two streams will be taught a more basic version of the subject.
Previously, under the CBC framework, only students in the STEM track were required to study math. Those in other tracks had the option to drop it, unlike the previous 8-4-4 curriculum where math was compulsory for all.
The initial policy change had sparked debate among education experts and the public. Critics, including the Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK), argued that removing math could undermine students’ analytical skills and harm the country’s workforce and economy in the long run.
IEK highlighted that math is critical in fields like engineering, technology, and data science, as it supports key skills such as problem-solving, analysis, and innovation.
In response, Ogamba emphasized the government’s commitment to incorporating public input into education reform. “We value your feedback. As we continue to improve the CBC, your voices help guide us in ensuring a robust and future-ready education system,” he said.
