Mathematics Declared Compulsory Again in Kenya’s Senior Schools

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos has announced a reversal of the government’s earlier stance to make Mathematics optional in senior school, declaring the subject will now be compulsory under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).

Speaking on Thursday during the National Conversation on CBC, CS Migos said the decision followed extensive dialogue with stakeholders who overwhelmingly supported the inclusion of Mathematics at all levels of senior secondary education.

“This is a result of consensus from a series of stakeholder engagements. STEM students will pursue advanced Mathematics, while the other two pathways will take a simplified version,” Migos explained. He noted that discussions with the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) affirmed the new directive.

Initially, the Ministry of Education had announced that Mathematics would not be mandatory in senior school under the CBC—a notable shift from the traditional 8-4-4 system. According to the new system, students are expected to take four compulsory subjects: English or Kenya Sign Language, Kiswahili, Physical Education, and Community Service Learning, alongside three elective subjects from a pool of 38.

The earlier move to make Mathematics optional had drawn sharp criticism from education stakeholders, including the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET). Acting Secretary General Moses Nthurima opposed the plan, arguing that Mathematics is vital for developing a competent 21st-century workforce.

“KUPPET rejects any proposal to make Mathematics optional. It underpins learning across all disciplines—be it humanities, sports, or STEM,” Nthurima said.

The new decision ensures Mathematics retains its place as a foundational subject in shaping future academic and career trajectories for all learners.