Education CS Julius Ogamba Reinstates Mathematics as a Compulsory Subject
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has mandated that some form of mathematics be reinstated as a compulsory subject in senior secondary schools.
During the National Conversation on the Competency-Based Curriculum on Thursday, Ogamba disclosed that the ministry has acknowledged the concerns of stakeholders and has concluded that some form of mathematics should be mandated across all pathways.
“The majority of the stakeholders during the CBC dialogue expressed the opinion that mathematics ought to be compulsory in senior school. We have taken your concerns into account, engaged with the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD), and have reached a determination that some form of mathematics will be made compulsory for the other two pathways that are not STEM,” Ogamba directed.
According to the CS, under this new directive, students who select the STEM pathway will pursue pure mathematics, whereas the other two pathways will offer a simplified version of mathematics.
“We will have the STEM pathways featuring pure mathematics, and the other two pathways encompassing a form of mathematics so that mathematics is incorporated into all three pathways in senior school,” the CS elucidated.
In contrast to the 8-4-4 curriculum, where mathematics was a compulsory subject, the ministry had previously directed that students in senior school now had the option to forgo the subject based on the pathways they selected.
The ministry delineated the pathways into three: Arts and Sports Science, Social Sciences, and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), allowing students who opted for the first two pathways the opportunity to omit mathematics.
However, Ogamba has reversed this decision and directed that these two pathways will include some form of mathematics.
His decision to rescind the previous directive followed developments that sparked intense debates among Kenyans and relevant stakeholders, who contended that this was an unwise decision and posed challenges that could affect Kenya’s workforce and economic sustainability.
The CS assured Kenyans and stakeholders that their perspectives regarding the education system are valued, and the Ministry takes them seriously in an effort to refine the CBC curriculum, which has faced criticism.
“It is a significant aspect that we have heeded the views of Kenyans, and it is an important contribution that has emerged from the stakeholders to demonstrate that stakeholder dialogue is crucial,” Ogamba stated.
Ogamba has urged stakeholders and the broader Kenyan populace to lend their support to this new initiative.
At present, the CS and Principal Secretary Julius Bitok are actively addressing the CBC transition in Kenya. Their emphasis is on ensuring the provision of quality education and addressing challenges such as teacher preparedness, school infrastructure, and public apprehensions regarding CBC implementation.