Kenya drops Mathematics from list of school compulsory subjects

Kenya’s Ministry of Education says Mathematics which over decades has been a compulsory subject in many African countries including Ghana will no longer be a mandatory subject for prospective students.

In an interview with Kenya Television Network, Basic Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang confirmed that in the new Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) maths will no longer be compulsory unlike in the 8-4-4 education system.

The government official, however, indicated that students must take English or Kenya Sign Language, Kiswahili, Physical Education, and Community Service Learning as mandatory subjects.

“This will affect learners transitioning to senior school when they return to school in their second term,” the Basic Education Principal Secretary told Kenya Television Network (KTN).

He added “We are giving them time to go home so that parents and learners can consult on what they wish to pursue. The selection process will begin immediately when they return to school.”

Meanwhile, The Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) has opposed the government’s decision to exclude Mathematics from the list of a compulsory subject studied by students in various schools across the country.

In a statement on Monday by the institution’s president Eng. Shammah Kiteme said the Kenyan government move is critical for the country’s long-term economic competitiveness in various sectors.

“We express deep concerns over the decision to remove mathematics as a compulsory subject in the Arts and Sports Science and Social Sciences pathways

While curriculum flexibility is valuable, this decision poses challenges that may impact Kenya’s workforce readiness and economic sustainability,” Shammah stated.

The Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) has therefore suggested that the Ministry of Education under the auspices of the Kenyan government should introduce applied mathematics for non-STEM pathways.

“Instead of removing mathematics entirely, introduce practical math applications in areas such as financial literacy, statistics, technical measurements, and computational thinking. This route is doubtful because the country may not have enough resources in terms of teachers,” the IEK President noted.

Eng. Shammah Kiteme said integrating applied mathematics into non-STEM pathways will enable all learners to gain problem-solving, analytical, and financial literacy skills while maintaining flexibility in education.