Education CS Julius Ogamba Reinstates Mathematics as a Mandated Subject
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has instructed that a form of mathematics be restored as a mandated subject in senior secondary schools.
In remarks made during the National Conversation on the Competency-Based Curriculum on Thursday, Ogamba disclosed that the ministry has listened to the stakeholders’ concerns and concluded that a form of mathematics should be made mandatory across all pathways.
“The majority of the stakeholders during the CBC dialogue felt that mathematics should be mandatory in senior school. We have heeded your concerns, consulted with the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD), and have resolved that a form of mathematics be made requisite for the other two pathways that are not STEM,” Ogamba instructed.
As per the CS, with this new directive, students who selected the STEM pathway will engage in pure maths, while the other two pathways will incorporate a simplified version of mathematics.
“We will have the STEM pathways offering pure maths and the other two pathways featuring a form of maths so that mathematics is included in all three pathways in senior school,” the CS elucidated.
In contrast to the 8-4-4 curriculum, where mathematics was an obligatory subject, the ministry had earlier allowed senior school students the option to forgo the subject based on their chosen pathways.
The ministry categorized the pathways into three: Arts and Sports Science, Social Sciences, and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), allowing students in the first two pathways the opportunity to bypass maths.
Ogamba, however, has overturned this decision and mandated that these two pathways will include some form of mathematics.
His decision to reverse the ruling follows discussions that sparked intense debates among Kenyans and relevant stakeholders, who argued that this was an unwise decision that could create challenges impacting Kenya’s workforce and economic viability.
The CS assured Kenyans and stakeholders that their perspectives regarding the education system are appreciated, and the Ministry takes them into account as part of efforts to refine the CBC curriculum, which has faced criticism.
“It is a crucial aspect that we have focused on the views of Kenyans, and it is vital input that has emerged from the stakeholders to demonstrate that stakeholder dialogue matters,” Ogamba stated.
Ogamba has urged stakeholders and the broader Kenyan community to endorse this new initiative.
Currently, the CS and Principal Secretary Julius Bitok are diligently addressing the CBC transition in Kenya. Their aim is to guarantee quality education and resolve issues such as teacher preparedness, school infrastructure, and public concerns regarding CBC execution.
