CS Ogamba Clarifies the Situation on Making Mathematics an Optional Subject
Following days of increasing public pressure and confusion, the Ministry of Education has amended its contentious suggestion to make Mathematics an optional subject within the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba clarified the situation during the CBC National Conversation event that took place at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) on Thursday, April 24.
“The majority of the stakeholders during the CBC dialogue felt that Mathematics ought to be required in senior school,” Ogamba stated.
“We have taken your concerns into account, consulted with KICD, and come to a conclusion that some version of Mathematics will be mandatory for the other two pathways. ”
This clarification comes after a surge of criticism from educational stakeholders, parents, and the general public, many of whom expressed worries regarding the long-term effects of de-emphasizing a crucial subject such as Mathematics in senior school.
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Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok also supported the ministry’s position, asserting that Mathematics continues to be a mandatory subject in both junior and senior schools across all pathways.
“There is no ambiguity,” Bitok remarked. “Mathematics is fundamental and will persist as a core subject. ”
The initial suggestion to render Mathematics optional in senior secondary for non-STEM pathways was withdrawn after thorough consultations with educational experts, the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD), and several public forums.
While Ogamba’s wording—“some form of mathematics”—still caused some skepticism online, the central message was unmistakable: the subject is here to stay.
Critics had previously expressed concerns that diluting math would put students at a disadvantage when it comes to real-world problem-solving and future employment.
The Ministry now faces the challenge of making sure that the revised Mathematics curriculum in non-STEM tracks is practical, relevant, and in line with national educational objectives.
For the moment, the government seems to have made a complete turnaround—and Kenyans are observing how this vital subject will be put into action moving forward.
