KNEC Supports Decision to Eliminate Mandatory Maths in Senior School.
Educational stakeholders have stressed that Mathematics will continue to be compulsory solely in primary and junior secondary school levels. Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) Chairperson Julius Nyabundi mentioned that essential skills in arithmetic, acquired during these stages, adequately equip students for life and further education.
Nyabundi clarified that the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) was created to enhance numeracy up to Grade 9, thus removing the necessity for the subject to be obligatory in senior school. He suggested that students in senior secondary school should concentrate on fields that match their strengths, such as humanities or vocational disciplines, to improve academic results and promote greater engagement.
The performance in Mathematics among senior secondary students has consistently been disappointing, with statistics indicating a significant decline from primary school results. According to KNEC Deputy Director for Quality Assurance and Archives, Andrew Otieno, national examination assessments show a notable drop in Mathematics performance between KCPE and KCSE.
For example, 2022 KCPE outcomes revealed that over 80 percent of candidates attained scores between Grade A and D+ in Mathematics. However, by the time learners arrived at KCSE, only 17. 46 percent remained in that performance range. These statistics position Kenya behind Uganda, Tanzania, and Zambia in secondary Mathematics results.
Otieno attributed this decline not to a challenging curriculum, but rather to a stringent grading and assessment framework. He noted that the existing system discourages students, particularly those not following STEM pathways, and highlighted that Mathematics should only be a core subject for learners whose upcoming courses necessitate it.
Optional Mathematics in Senior School
The Ministry of Education’s decision to render Mathematics optional in senior secondary school has ignited public discourse. Under the updated framework, core mandatory subjects will include English, Kiswahili or Kenya Sign Language, Physical Education, and Community Service Learning.
In spite of the criticism, forecasts suggest that approximately 60 percent of senior school students will still choose to take Mathematics, especially those aiming for the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) route. However, Otieno cautioned that mandating Mathematics could adversely affect students who are more inclined toward the arts.
KNEC asserted that modifying subject requirements might assist in addressing the “dismal pass rate below 30 percent” documented in KCSE Mathematics. Otieno also remarked that comparable practices are observed in other regional examination systems.
The inclusion of Community Service Learning and Physical Education as compulsory subjects has been defended by curriculum developers. Eunice Gachoka of the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development underscored research supporting Physical Education’s influence on psychomotor coordination, cognitive growth, and overall student health.
She further stated that Community Service Learning is crucial in nurturing responsible, patriotic citizens, especially in an era when national values seem to be deteriorating. Speakers at the KNEC symposium reiterated the significance of character-building aspects in education to combat the decline of social values in the nation.
KNEC Supports Decision to Eliminate Mandatory Maths in Senior School.
