Senior School Students Won’t Be Forced to Take Mathematics and Science, PS Kipsang Clarifies

Senior school students under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) will not have to study mathematics and science subjects, Basic Education Principal Secretary (PS) Belio Kipsang has said.

According to Dr. Kipsang, senior schools must offer at least two career pathways, including the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) track. The CBC senior school system, which was launched in January 2026, is designed to suit students’ abilities, interests and career ambitions.

Three Career Pathways in Senior School

Students will move to senior school based on their preferred career pathways. The three options are:

1. STEM
2. Social Sciences
3. Arts and Sports

Dr. Kipsang said while every senior school must provide the STEM pathway, students are not required to take it. “In Grade 10, mathematics and science subjects will not be compulsory for students who choose other pathways,” he said.

Senior Schools to Be Categorized by Career Pathways

During an exclusive interview in Mombasa where discussions on education quality and learning outcomes are ongoing, Dr. Kipsang noted that senior schools will be classified based on the pathways they offer. The government has organized county-wide dialogues to engage education stakeholders on the progress and implementation of CBC.

“I want to clarify that mathematics is not a mandatory subject for all learners. The only requirement is that every school must offer a STEM pathway, so that students who want to do sciences have access to the necessary subjects,” he said.

The Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms (PWPER) recommended that at least 60% of senior school students should be in the STEM pathway. To achieve this, more schools must offer STEM as an option.

Increasing Access to STEM Education

Professor Laila Abubakar, Vice-Chancellor of the Technical University of Mombasa and member of PWPER, said while every school will offer STEM, students will have the freedom to choose between STEM, arts and sports or social sciences.

“We want to make sure students who want to do science have access to relevant subjects. But it’s not mandatory for all learners to do STEM. They can choose their preferred pathway,” she said.In the 8-4-4 system, mathematics and English were mandatory, along with two science subjects. But CBC wants to simplify subject choices so students are not bogged down with irrelevant subjects.

Junior School Assessment 2025

Meanwhile, preparations for the first ever junior school exit assessment under CBC are underway. Grade 9 students who are the pioneer CBC students will sit for their assessment in November 2025. Over 1.2 million students will transition to senior school based on their chosen career paths.

The National Parents Association (NPA) has called on parents to participate in the ongoing education dialogues to understand better CBC. NPA Chairman Silas Obuhatsa said, “These forums will provide critical information for parents of Grade 9 students who are not familiar with career paths. Attending these meetings will help them make informed decisions for their children’s future.”

The education dialogues running from March 9 to March 15, 2025 across all counties will:

• Update stakeholders on CBC implementation
• Validate senior school guidelines through stakeholder participation
• Provide information on teacher recruitment and training
• Gather feedback on CBC implementation

As CBC transforms the education system in Kenya, these forums will clear misconceptions and ensure a smooth transition for students moving to senior school.