NAIROBI — Mathematics is back at the heart of Kenya’s senior school curriculum.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba confirmed Thursday that all students entering senior school will be required to study some form of mathematics, regardless of their academic track. The decision, made during the National Conversation on the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), marks a sharp reversal from an earlier proposal that would have made the subject optional.
“Maths will be compulsory in all three pathways,” said Mr Migos. “Students taking the STEM route will study advanced mathematics. For the rest, there will still be a simplified version.”
His announcement comes just months after the Ministry of Education said maths would be dropped from the list of required subjects in senior school under the CBC, the curriculum now replacing the old 8-4-4 system.
That decision sparked heated criticism, especially from teachers’ unions and education experts. Many feared it would limit students’ opportunities and weaken foundational skills essential in a fast-changing world.
A Curriculum in Flux
Under the CBC system, learners in senior school are expected to specialise. They choose from three tracks—STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths), social sciences, or arts and sports. Previously, only four subjects were deemed compulsory: English or Kenyan Sign Language, Kiswahili, Physical Education, and Community Service Learning.
Mathematics had been left out, a move that critics argued was short-sighted.
Moses Nthurima, acting Secretary General of the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), led the outcry.
“KUPPET rejects the government’s proposal to make Mathematics optional,” he said in a public statement last month. “Maths is vital—not just for STEM—but also for understanding trends, analysis, and logic across nearly every discipline.”
He added that such a move would “compromise the country’s ability to build a skilled workforce in the 21st century.”
Thursday’s announcement appears to reflect a shift in tone from the Ministry, after weeks of stakeholder engagement and pushback from across the education sector.
Mixed Reactions
Some parents welcomed the change, seeing it as a step toward maintaining academic rigour. Others expressed concern over whether schools would have the resources and teachers needed to deliver tailored maths content across different pathways.
“We want rigour, yes, but also realism,” said Mercy Odhiambo, a parent of two secondary school students in Kisumu. “If maths is compulsory, the ministry must invest in teachers and materials. Otherwise, we’ll be setting children up to fail.”
Educators at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD), who were involved in the latest decision, say the change aims to strike a balance.
“There will be differentiation,” one curriculum officer told The Times. “Not everyone needs calculus. But numeracy is essential—whether you’re studying agriculture, media, or engineering.”
Looking Ahead
The Ministry has not yet released final subject outlines or timelines for implementation. But Mr Migos said further consultations are ongoing.
“This is a national conversation. We will continue engaging with stakeholders to ensure every Kenyan child receives a quality and balanced education,” he said.
With the CBC still in its early stages, many are watching closely to see how the changes will play out in classrooms across the country. But for now, one thing is clear—mathematics is back at the centre of Kenya’s education debate, and this time, it’s staying.
