Senior School Guide: Subject Combinations for Grade 10 Career Pathways
Schools and parents are responsible for assisting Grade 9 students in choosing their career pathways as they prepare to move to Grade 10 in Senior School.
With the introduction of Competency-Based Education (CBE), approximately 1.2 million Grade 9 students will be the first cohort to enter Senior School and select from three career pathways: STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), arts and sports, and social sciences. Core subjects such as Math, English, Kiswahili, and community service remain mandatory.
The Ministry of Education has outlined subject combinations categorized into five primary pathways: STEM (Applied Sciences), STEM (Pure Sciences), Arts & Sports, and STEM (Technical Studies).
Here’s a comprehensive overview of the subject combinations available.
The Arts & Sports pathway enables students to focus on theatre, film, and fine arts. If you select Arts & Sports with an emphasis on Fine Arts, you can choose from subjects like Arabic, Biology, Business Studies, Computer Studies, CRE/IRE/HRE, Kiswahili Literature, French, General Science, Geography, German, History & Citizenship, English Literature, Mandarin, Advanced Mathematics, or Sports & Recreation.
Additionally, students can combine music and dance with fine arts. If you choose Arts & Sports with a focus on Music & Dance or Fine Arts, you can also select from Arabic, Biology, Business Studies, Computer Studies, CRE/IRE/HRE, Kiswahili Literature, French, General Science, Geography, German, History & Citizenship, English Literature, Mandarin, Advanced Mathematics, or Sports & Recreation.
Students may opt to study dance and music alongside theatre and film. If you choose Arts & Sports with an emphasis on Theatre & Film, Music & Dance, you can add subjects such as Arabic, Biology, Business Studies, Computer Studies, CRE/IRE/HRE, Kiswahili Literature, French, General Science, Geography, German, History & Citizenship, English Literature, Mandarin, Advanced Mathematics, or Sports & Recreation.
For those interested in physical education, Sports & Recreation is another option within this pathway. If you select Arts & Sports with a focus on Sports & Recreation, you can include Arabic, Biology, Business Studies, Computer Studies, CRE/IRE/HRE, Kiswahili Literature, French, General Science, Geography, German, History & Citizenship, English Literature, Mandarin, Advanced Mathematics, or Media Technology.
In the Social Sciences pathway, students can explore business and humanities. If you focus on Business Studies and History & Citizenship, you can add Arabic, Computer Studies, CRE/IRE/HRE, Kiswahili Literature, French, General Science, Geography, German, English Literature, Mandarin, or Advanced Mathematics.
Another option combines CRE/IRE/HRE with Business Studies. If you choose Social Sciences with an emphasis on CRE/IRE/HRE and Business Studies, you can select from Arabic, Computer Studies, Kiswahili Literature, French, General Science, Geography, German, History & Citizenship, English Literature, Mandarin, or Advanced Mathematics.
Learners can also study CRE/IRE/HRE alongside Geography. If you choose Social Sciences with a focus on CRE/IRE/HRE and Geography, you can add Arabic, Computer Studies, Kiswahili Literature, French, General Science, German, English Literature, Mandarin, or Advanced Mathematics.
Other combinations include History & Citizenship with Geography. If you opt for Social Sciences with an emphasis on History & Citizenship and Geography, you can select from Arabic, Business Studies, Computer Studies, CRE/IRE/HRE, Kiswahili Literature, French, General Science, German, English Literature, Mandarin, or Advanced Mathematics.
In the Languages & Literature track, students may take Arabic and French. If you choose Social Sciences with a focus on Arabic and French, you can add subjects like Business Studies, Computer Studies, CRE/IRE/HRE, General Science, Geography, History & Citizenship, Mandarin, or Advanced Mathematics.
For those selecting Kiswahili Literature and Sign Language, the third subject could be Arabic, Business Studies, Chinese, Computer Studies, CRE/IRE/HRE, French, General Science, Geography, History & Citizenship, or Advanced Mathematics.
Another combination includes Indigenous Language and Literature in English. If you choose Social Sciences with an emphasis on Indigenous Language and Literature in English, you can select from Arabic, Business Studies, Computer Studies, CRE/IRE/HRE, Kiswahili Literature, French, General Science, Geography, German, History & Citizenship, Mandarin, Advanced Mathematics, or Sign Language.
In the STEM, Applied Sciences pathway, students interested in Agriculture and Business Studies can add subjects like Aviation, Biology, Building Construction, Chemistry, Computer Studies, Electricity, General Science, Geography, Marine & Fisheries, Advanced Mathematics, Metal Work, Physics, Power Mechanics, or Woodwork.
Alternatively, students may focus on Agriculture and Computer Studies. If you choose STEM, Applied Sciences with an emphasis on Agriculture and Computer Studies, you can add Aviation, Biology, Building Construction, Business Studies, Chemistry, Electricity, General Science, Geography, Home Science, Marine & Fisheries, Advanced Mathematics, Metal Work, Physics, Power Mechanics, or Woodwork.
Students may also combine Agriculture and Geography. If you choose STEM – Applied Sciences with an emphasis on Agriculture and Geography, you can select from Aviation, Biology, Building Construction, Computer Science, Electricity, General Science, Marine & Fisheries, Advanced Mathematics, Metal Work, Physics, Power Mechanics, or Woodwork.
In the STEM, Pure Sciences pathway, combinations are heavily focused on science. If you choose STEM, Pure Sciences with an emphasis on Advanced Mathematics and Biology, you can add Agriculture, Aviation, Building Construction, Business Studies, Chemistry, Computer Studies, Electricity, Geography, Home Science, Marine & Fisheries, Metal Work, Physics, Power Mechanics, or Woodwork.
Another challenging track is Biology and Chemistry. If you opt for STEM, Pure Sciences with a focus on Biology and Chemistry, you can add Agriculture, Aviation, Building Construction, Business Studies, Computer Studies, Electricity, Geography, Home Science, Marine & Fisheries, Metal Work, Power Mechanics, or Woodwork.
Students may also choose Chemistry and Physics. If you select STEM, Pure Sciences with an emphasis on Chemistry and Physics, you can add Agriculture, Aviation, Building Construction, Business Studies, Computer Studies, Electricity, Geography, Home Science, Marine & Fisheries, Metal Work, Power Mechanics, or Woodwork.
The STEM, Technical Studies pathway provides vocational options. If you choose STEM, Technical Studies with a focus on Aviation and Business Studies, you can add Biology, Chemistry, Computer Studies, General Science, Geography, Home Science, Marine & Fisheries, Advanced Mathematics, Media Technology, or Physics.
Another vocational combination includes Building Construction and Business Studies. If you select STEM, Technical Studies with an emphasis on Building Construction and Business Studies, you can add Biology, Chemistry, Computer Studies, General Science, Geography, Home Science, Marine & Fisheries, Advanced Mathematics, Media Technology, or Physics.
Students may also pair Electricity with General Science. If you choose STEM, Technical Studies with a focus on Electricity and General Science, you can add Computer Studies, Home Science, Marine & Fisheries, Advanced Mathematics, or Media Technology.
The subject combination selection process is conducted entirely online.
