Explainer: Comprehensive Overview of Subject Combinations for Grade 10 Career Pathways
Educational institutions and parents are tasked with guiding Grade 9 students in the selection of their career pathways as they prepare to transition into Grade 10 at Senior School.
In alignment with the Competency-Based Education (CBE) framework, approximately 1.2 million students currently in Grade 9 will be the inaugural cohort to enter Senior School, where they will have the opportunity to choose from three distinct career pathways: STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), Arts and Sports, and Social Sciences. It is important to note that foundational subjects such as Mathematics, English, Kiswahili, and community service remain mandatory.
The Ministry of Education has delineated subject combinations categorized into five principal pathways: STEM (Applied Sciences), STEM (Pure Sciences), Arts & Sports, and STEM (Technical Studies).
The Arts & Sports pathway enables students to specialize in areas such as theatre, film, and fine arts. Should a student opt for Arts & Sports with a concentration on Fine Arts, they may select additional subjects including Arabic, Biology, Business Studies, Computer Studies, CRE/IRE/HRE, Kiswahili Literature, French, General Science, Geography, German, History & Citizenship, English Literature, Mandarin, Advanced Mathematics, or Sports & Recreation.
Furthermore, students have the option to integrate music and dance into their fine arts focus. If they choose Arts & Sports with an emphasis on Music & Dance or Fine Arts, they may also select from the aforementioned subjects.
Students may additionally pursue studies in dance and music alongside theatre and film. For those who select Arts & Sports with a focus on Theatre & Film, Music & Dance, the same additional subjects apply.
The Sports & Recreation option within this pathway caters to students interested in physical education. Those who choose Arts & Sports with a focus on Sports & Recreation can also select from Arabic, Biology, Business Studies, Computer Studies, CRE/IRE/HRE, Kiswahili Literature, French, General Science, Geography, German, History & Citizenship, English Literature, Mandarin, Advanced Mathematics, or Media Technology.
Under the Social Sciences pathway, students have the opportunity to engage in business and humanities studies. If a student opts for Social Sciences with a focus on Business Studies and History & Citizenship, they may include Arabic, Computer Studies, CRE/IRE/HRE, Kiswahili Literature, French, General Science, Geography, German, English Literature, Mandarin, or Advanced Mathematics.
Another combination within this pathway integrates CRE/IRE/HRE with Business Studies. Students selecting this focus may also choose from Arabic, Computer Studies, Kiswahili Literature, French, General Science, Geography, German, History & Citizenship, English Literature, Mandarin, or Advanced Mathematics.
Learners may also explore the intersection of CRE/IRE/HRE and Geography. Those who select Social Sciences with this focus can add Arabic, Computer Studies, Kiswahili Literature, French, General Science, German, English Literature, Mandarin, or Advanced Mathematics.
Additional combinations include History & Citizenship and Geography. Students opting for Social Sciences with an emphasis on History & Citizenship and Geography may choose from Arabic, Business Studies, Computer Studies, CRE/IRE/HRE, Kiswahili Literature, French, General Science, German, English Literature, Mandarin, or Advanced Mathematics.
Within the Languages & Literature track, students may study Arabic and French. If they choose Social Sciences with a focus on these languages, they can also select from Business Studies, Computer Studies, CRE/IRE/HRE, General Science, Geography, History & Citizenship, Mandarin, or Advanced Mathematics.
For those interested in Kiswahili Literature and Sign Language, the third subject may be Arabic, Business Studies, Chinese, Computer Studies, CRE/IRE/HRE, French, General Science, Geography, History & Citizenship, or Advanced Mathematics.
Another combination includes Indigenous Language and English Literature. Students selecting Social Sciences with this emphasis can choose from Arabic, Business Studies, Computer Studies, CRE/IRE/HRE, Kiswahili Literature, French, General Science, Geography, German, History & Citizenship, Mandarin, Advanced Mathematics, or Sign Language.
In the STEM, Applied Sciences pathway, students interested in Agriculture and Business Studies may select from Aviation, Biology, Building Construction, Chemistry, Computer Studies, Electricity, General Science, Geography, Marine & Fisheries, Advanced Mathematics, Metal Work, Physics, Power Mechanics, or Woodwork.
Alternatively, students may focus on Agriculture and Computer Studies, allowing for the inclusion of Aviation, Biology, Building Construction, Business Studies, Chemistry, Electricity, General Science, Geography, Home Science, Marine & Fisheries, Advanced Mathematics, Metal Work, Physics, Power Mechanics, or Woodwork.
Students may also pair Agriculture with Geography. If they opt for STEM – Applied Sciences with this focus, they can select from Aviation, Biology, Building Construction, Computer Studies, Electricity, General Science, Marine & Fisheries, Advanced Mathematics, Metal Work, Physics, Power Mechanics, or Woodwork.
The STEM, Pure Sciences pathway emphasizes rigorous scientific study. Students who choose this pathway with a focus on Advanced Mathematics and Biology can select from Agriculture, Aviation, Building Construction, Business Studies, Chemistry, Computer Studies, Electricity, Geography, Home Science, Marine & Fisheries, Metal Work, Physics, Power Mechanics, or Woodwork.
Another demanding track involves Biology and Chemistry. Students selecting STEM, Pure Sciences with this focus may include Agriculture, Aviation, Building Construction, Business Studies, Computer Studies, Electricity, Geography, Home Science, Marine & Fisheries, Metal Work, Power Mechanics, or Woodwork.
Students may also opt for a combination of Chemistry and Physics. Those choosing STEM, Pure Sciences with this emphasis can select from Agriculture, Aviation, Building Construction, Business Studies, Computer Studies, Electricity, Geography, Home Science, Marine & Fisheries, Metal Work, Power Mechanics, or Woodwork.
The STEM, Technical Studies pathway provides a vocational perspective. Students opting for this pathway with a focus on Aviation and Business Studies may select from Biology, Chemistry, Computer Studies, General Science, Geography, Home Science, Marine & Fisheries, Advanced Mathematics, Media Technology, or Physics.
Another vocational combination includes Building Construction and Business Studies. Students who choose STEM, Technical Studies with this focus can select from Biology, Chemistry, Computer Studies, General Science, Geography, Home Science, Marine & Fisheries, Advanced Mathematics, Media Technology, or Physics.
Students may also combine Electricity with General Science. Those selecting STEM, Technical Studies with this emphasis can choose from Computer Studies, Home Science, Marine & Fisheries, Advanced Mathematics, or Media Technology.
The process of selecting subject combinations is conducted entirely online.
