Fact Check: Students to still Study Mathematics at Senior School Level or Grade 10- KICD Clarifies

The Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) has clarified that under the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC), mathematics will not be completely eliminated at the senior school level or Grade 10.

As stated by the agency’s chief executive officer, Charles Ong’ondo, mathematics will be necessary for careers associated with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), business studies, and sports science.

Prof Ong’ondo indicated that this implies most learners at senior school will opt for mathematics because of its importance in their career paths.

Ultimately, he mentioned that the choice to study mathematics in humanities, languages, and literature at senior school relies on individual interests, career ambitions, and aptitude for the subject.

“Some learners might find mathematics difficult or may wish to concentrate on subjects that are more closely aligned with their goals. In such instances, they have the option to prioritize other subjects over mathematics,” the KICD head explained.

“Although mathematics will be necessary for most careers and promoting interdisciplinary connections, making it mandatory for learners in senior school would undermine the objectives for which the reforms were initiated. It would also contradict the focus of a pre-career stage and the international practices at this level. The principles of CBC will not be fully realized,” he added.

However, he clarified that there are learners whose career aspirations may not necessitate mathematics as a required subject but whose interests and skills align. Such learners will be permitted to select the subject to bridge humanities and social sciences.

This will facilitate the exploration of connections between seemingly unrelated subjects as a means of promoting interdisciplinary studies.

“Choosing mathematics as a selective subject at the pre-career stage is a worldwide practice and is not a new occurrence within the Kenyan context. Senior school is designed to function as a pre-career stage where learners take seven subjects,” he stated.