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New rules now allow Grade 10 learners not pursuing Stem pathway to add maths option
Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok addresses participants during the launch of the Educational Assessment Resource Centre at New Mitihani House, Nairobi on July 4, 2025.
Grade 10 learners who will not be pursuing the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (Stem) pathway but opt to take Core Mathematics will be allowed, depending on their Junior School assessment results.
Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok, in a circular addressed to all regional, county, and sub-county directors of education, outlined the framework for the next phase of CBE implementation, which will mark the fourth level of basic education following pre-primary, primary, and junior school.
In addition to the compulsory learning areas, the learner will select three more subjects. The PS advised learners to take at least two subjects from the chosen pathway.
“This means that a learner may take up to three more subjects from the chosen pathway or take two subjects from the chosen pathway and one subject from another pathway,” said Prof Bitok.
However, the educationist said that in case a learner's career choice requires them to take one subject in each pathway, they should be permitted.
“The choices of subjects shall be guided by the learner's anticipated career, aptitude, interest and personality, with guidance by the leadership of the senior school. The list of all the subjects on offer at senior school under the CBC have been developed by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD),” said the PS.
The government has begun preparations for the rollout of the Competency-Based Education (CBE) at Senior School level, with the Ministry of Education issuing guidance on subjects to be undertaken.
The four compulsory subjects are English, Kiswahili, Core Mathematics/ Essential Mathematics and Community Service Learning (CSL).
“For clarity, all the learners shall take English, Kiswahili and Community Service Learning (CSL). Learners pursuing the Stem pathway shall take Core Mathematics while those who shall have chosen any of the other two pathways will take Essential Mathematics,” said Basic Education Principal Secretary Prof Julius Bitok.
Senior School will span three years, from Grades 10 to 12.
With the first cohort of learners currently in Grade Nine set to join Grade 10 in January next year, the State is racing against time to ensure preparedness.
Learners will choose from three pathways, including Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, Arts and Sports Science, and Social Sciences.
However, the government has warned schools against forcing learners to participate in religious rites and activities that are contrary to their beliefs.
The selection will be guided by the learner’s interest and demonstrated potential in earlier levels.
According to the ministry, each learner will be required to take seven subjects, four of which will be compulsory, in line with recommendations from the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms (PWPER).
The ministry emphasised that the goal is to nurture ethical, empowered, and engaged citizens capable of contributing meaningfully to national development.
Prof Bitok said the essence of senior school is to offer learners a pre-tertiary/pre-university/ pre-career experience during which the learners have an opportunity to choose subjects from the pathways where they shall have demonstrated interest or potential at earlier levels.
“As you are aware, the first cohort of the CBE learners are expected to join Senior School in January 2026. Senior School learners shall take seven subjects as recommended by the Presidential Working Party on Educational Reforms (PWPER),” said Prof Bitok.
The four compulsory subjects include English, Kiswahili, Core Mathematics/ Essential Mathematics. The PS emphasised that all the learners shall take English, Kiswahili and Community Service Learning (CSL).
Physical Education (PE) and Information Communication and Technology (ICT) will be offered to all learners to facilitate learning and acquisition of life skills.
Every school shall offer Pastoral/Religious Programme of Instruction (P/RPI) to enhance the moral, spiritual and character development of the learners.
“No school should force learners to participate in religious rites and activities that are contrary to their beliefs,” warned Prof Bitok.
Some of the subjects to be offered in senior school include music and dance, Theatre, Business Studies, Geography, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, General Science, Agriculture, Computer Studies, Home Science, Aviation, Building Construction, Electricity, Metalwork, Power Mechanics, Woodwork, Media Technology, Marine and Fisheries Technology.
