As part of the ongoing implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) for Grade 10 transition, Grade 9 students will soon begin selecting their preferred senior school pathways. This marks a significant shift from the previous 8-4-4 system, notably with the removal of Mathematics as a compulsory subject for senior school, offering learners more flexibility based on their interests and career goals.

Key Changes in the Senior School Curriculum

Under the new CBC framework, all senior school students will now be required to take four core subjects: English, Kiswahili (or Kenya Sign Language), Community Service Learning, and Physical Education. Unlike the old system, where Mathematics was a mandatory subject alongside English, Kiswahili, and at least two sciences, the updated curriculum now offers students the option to opt out of Mathematics if they choose a pathway other than Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

The Ministry of Education has outlined three main pathways for the senior school:

• Arts and Sports Science:
  Subjects include Fine Arts, Music and Dance, Theatre and Film, Physical Education, Sports, and Recreation.
• Social Sciences:
  This pathway features subjects such as Business Studies, History and Citizenship, Geography, Religious Education (including CRE, IRE, and HRE), Community Service Learning, and various Languages and Literature courses.
• STEM:
  Encompassing Pure Sciences like Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and General Science, as well as Applied Sciences including Agriculture, Computer Science, and Home Science, with additional options in Technical Studies.

Emphasis on STEM Pathways

In a bold move to strengthen Kenya’s future workforce, the Ministry has directed that up to 60% of current Grade 9 learners should pursue STEM pathways starting January 2026. Basic Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang stated that students will begin choosing their subjects from the second term, allowing the first term for consultation with parents. “We are giving them time to go home so that parents and learners can discuss their interests and decide what they wish to pursue. The selection process will begin immediately when they return to school,” Kipsang told The Standard.

Promoting Diversity in Student Placements

Additionally, the Ministry has proposed a new measure to enhance diversity by limiting the number of learners from a single junior secondary school who can join the same senior school to a maximum of five. While this policy is designed to foster varied educational environments, some stakeholders have expressed concerns that it may be over-ambitious, particularly for day schools that primarily serve local communities.

Looking Ahead

The transition to a more flexible senior school curriculum under the CBC represents a significant step toward modernizing education in Kenya. With students now empowered to choose pathways that align with their individual strengths and aspirations, the new system promises to better prepare them for higher education and future careers. However, successful implementation will require careful planning, robust stakeholder engagement, and continuous monitoring to address challenges and ensure that every student has the opportunity to thrive.