Murang'a Governor Irungu Kang'ata/ PHOTO/XMurang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata has differed with the Ministry of Education on plans to make Mathematics an optional subject at the senior secondary level under the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC).
His remarks come a day after Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba clarified on the educational pathway for learners under CBC.
The governor said the move by the government to drop Maths as a mandatory subject could lead to uncertainty, emphasizing that the same could have negative ramifications on intellectual and academic development.
“Not a good idea at all. High probability, Kenya might be the only country to do so. Hence, it;s effect is unknown and probably bad,” Kang’ata said on his social media handle.
The county boss stressed that the subject formed the backbone of all knowledge, cautioning that removing it could undermine the education system.
“Maths is the foundation of all knowledge. Remove it—all knowledge collapses,” he stated.
CS Ogamba explained that students under the CBC, unlike the 8-4-4 system, would get the chance to choose among three specialised education pathways, namely the Science, Technology Engineering Mathematics (STEM), Arts & Social Sciences, and Sports Sciences.
He noted that the only group where Maths is compulsory is the one that chose the STEM pathway, adding that students pursuing Arts or Social Sciences may opt out of Mathematics if it is not essential for their chosen careers.
Ogamba pointed out that the door would not be locked to those who wished to pursue the subject, adding that it would still be available in all schools.
“By Grade 9, a student’s competencies and career interests should be clear. If Mathematics is not relevant to their chosen path, there is no need to make it mandatory," he said.
"For now, Mathematics is optional at the senior secondary level, but discussions are ongoing. This decision aligns with the structure of CBC.”
