The government has announced that students in senior schools will not be compelled to study mathematics and other science subjects. This announcement has been made by Basic Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang.
“In Grade 10, it is not compulsory to do mathematics ad sciences subjects. Because if you are not doing humanities or sciences why would you be required to do mathematics?” Kipsang posed.
“The only thing which is compulsory to all schools is that STEM pathways should be done by every school. But doing STEM pathway does not mean that children are forced to do STEM. It is only that it is available.”
According to Kipsang, all senior schools will be required to offer learners at least two career pathways. One of these pathways will include mathematics, science, engineering, and technology.
Dr. Kipsang explained that the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms recommended that 60 percent of all the senior school learners should undertake STEM.
The explanation by Dr. Kipsang was expounded by Professor Laila Abubakar, the vice chancellor of Mombasa who was a member of the education reforms taskforce. Professor Abubakar said that while every school will offer mathematics and sciences subjects, not all children from that school will do these subjects.
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“Some children will do arts and sports, others will undertake humanities. We shall however require every school to give our children a chance to do sciences. Those who want to do science, the subjects will be available to them and the decision will ultimately be theirs on whether to do these subjects or not,” said Professor Abubakar.
This is a radical shift from the 8-4-4 system that is being phased out, which required students in all secondary schools in Kenya to pursue Mathematics as a compulsory subject and at least two sciences among Chemistry, Biology and Physics.
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