Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Julius Ogamba has announced that Mathematics will remain a mandatory subject in senior schools, reversing an earlier proposal that would have made it optional under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
Speaking during the National Conversation on CBC held Thursday, CS Ogamba said the shift came after extensive consultations revealed strong public support for retaining Mathematics across all academic pathways. Stakeholders across the education sector emphasized the subject’s importance in preparing learners for future careers and societal participation.
Under the updated CBC structure, students choosing the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) track will study advanced Mathematics. Those pursuing the other two learning pathways will still be required to take a simplified version of the subject tailored to their respective areas.
“There must be some level of Mathematics for all learners. While the STEM students will focus on pure Mathematics, the other two tracks will include contextual Math suited to their needs,” Ogamba stated, noting that the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) had been actively involved in the decision-making process.
This marks a reversal from the Ministry’s earlier announcement, which had eliminated Mathematics as a compulsory subject in senior secondary schools—sparking concern among education professionals and the wider public. Under CBC guidelines, students must take four compulsory subjects: English or Kenya Sign Language, Kiswahili, Physical Education, and Community Service Learning, alongside three electives chosen from a list of 38.
The initial plan to drop Maths was strongly opposed by the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET). The union's acting Secretary General, Moses Nthurima, warned that such a move would be harmful to learners' future academic and professional opportunities.
“Mathematics is not just for scientists—it’s foundational to all fields, including the humanities, sports, and the arts,” Nthurima said. “We need to produce a generation equipped with critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and that starts with a solid grounding in Math.”
The reinstatement of Mathematics as a core subject underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring learners are well-equipped for the demands of the 21st-century workforce.
