Significant Changes in Education: Mathematics is no longer a core subject for seniors, and focus is placed on this field.
Mathematics will no longer be required for pupils in higher secondary school, according to a consensus among Kenya’s education leaders. In Nairobi, at the annual symposium of the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC), this judgment was made public.
By the time they complete junior secondary school, students will have acquired the necessary mathematical skills, according to Prof. Julius Nyabundi, chairman of KNEC. “By Grade 9, learners will have the arithmetic they need for everyday life,” he stated.
According to statistics, the majority of pupils perform well in math assessments during primary school but struggle during secondary school. More than 80% of Class 8 students passed Mathematics in 2022, but just 17.46% did well on the KCSE, the last test of high school in Kenya.
According to Andrew Otieno, the deputy director of KNEC, the problem with poor outcomes is not the curriculum itself, but rather how mathematics is assessed. He thinks that students with greater skills in the arts and humanities will gain if mathematics is made an option.
The Ministry of Education mandates English, Kiswahili, or Kenya Sign Language, Community Service Learning, and Physical Education in place of Mathematics. These topics seek to cultivate individuals who are accountable, healthy, and patriotic.
But, particularly for students pursuing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) careers, around 60% are still expected to study Maths at senior high.
The new methodology was also commended by specialists at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development. According to them, it promotes a more balanced educational system that takes into account students’ interests and talents.
By giving students the freedom to select courses that suit their future careers, this reform aims to lower stress and improve academic achievement.
