Date: April 24, 2025
Time: 1:20 PM
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos has reignited debate in the education sector after announcing that Mathematics will now be compulsory for all students in senior school under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
The decision, which contradicts an earlier policy position that would have made Maths optional for certain learners, was made public during the National Conversation on CBC, held on Thursday in Nairobi.
“Some form of mathematics will be made compulsory for the two pathways that are not STEM,” said Migos. “We have STEM having pure maths, and the other two having a form of simplified maths.”
🔁 Policy Reversal Rooted in Stakeholder Demands
The u-turn was informed by broad consultations with education stakeholders, including parents, teachers, education experts, and representatives from the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD).
CS Migos explained that the overwhelming sentiment was that removing Mathematics from the core curriculum would undermine the goals of CBC and jeopardize students’ academic and professional preparedness.
“Mathematics is not just for engineers. It’s foundational for everyday problem-solving and logical thinking across all disciplines,” Migos added.
Understanding the CBC Pathways
Under CBC, senior school students are streamed into three distinct pathways:
- STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)
- Social Sciences
- Arts and Sports
In the earlier draft framework, only STEM students would be required to take advanced Mathematics. The other pathways could avoid the subject entirely. With Migos’ new directive, however, every student will study Maths—albeit in varying complexity based on their pathway.
Senior School Core Subjects Under CBC
All senior school learners must study four compulsory subjects:
- English or Kenya Sign Language
- Kiswahili
- Physical Education
- Community Service Learning
With the inclusion of Mathematics, the core learning experience becomes more holistic, ensuring that every student has a numeracy foundation regardless of their area of specialization.
Students will also select three additional elective subjects from a pool of 38 options, tailored to their personal interests and academic goals.
Teachers’ Union Pushback Saved Maths
The reversal follows significant pressure from the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET). Its acting Secretary General, Moses Nthurima, had strongly opposed the initial plan to make Maths optional.
“Maths is essential for building a competent workforce for the 21st century. It cuts across all subjects, including humanities, sports, and social sciences,” Nthurima declared.
KUPPET had warned that sidelining Mathematics would compromise national development goals and diminish the global competitiveness of Kenyan graduates.
Why the Decision Matters
The move is seen as a bold attempt to align CBC with the needs of a digital economy, where even non-STEM careers increasingly require quantitative and analytical skills.
Educational researchers argue that this shift could:
- Promote numeracy across all societal sectors
- Improve performance in other subjects tied to data and logic
- Enhance learners’ cognitive flexibility and problem-solving capacity
Mixed Reactions from the Public
While many parents and educators welcomed the decision, calling it a course correction, others expressed concern about whether schools are adequately prepared to deliver Maths to all students.
“It’s a necessary move—but the Ministry must now invest in teacher training, textbooks, and support materials to make this work,” said one Nairobi-based education expert.
📌 Conclusion: Migos Draws the Line
By making Mathematics mandatory for all, Julius Migos has drawn a bold line in Kenya’s education reform journey. While critics point to resource limitations, most agree that the country’s future depends on a numerate, literate, and agile generation.
Whether this decision marks a turning point for CBC or simply stirs new challenges remains to be seen.
