Aasai

In a major policy reversal, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos has declared Mathematics a compulsory subject in senior schools under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). This move overturns the government’s earlier plan to make the subject optional, signaling a renewed emphasis on core academic skills.

Speaking at the National Conversation on CBC, CS Migos revealed that the decision followed extensive consultations with stakeholders, the majority of whom strongly advocated for the subject’s inclusion. “We’ve listened to feedback, and Maths will be part of every student’s journey,” he affirmed.

 Students pursuing the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) pathway will study advanced Mathematics, while those in the other two pathways will be taught a simplified version. Migos added that the Kenyan Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) was also involved in finalizing the decision.

 The announcement comes after criticism from the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), whose acting Secretary General, Moses Nthurima, warned that dropping Maths would harm students’ futures. “Maths is vital not just for STEM but across all fields,” he said, urging the government to preserve it as a foundation for lifelong learning.