By Joshua Narkash
In a significant shift under Kenya’s Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), Grade 9 learners will no longer be required to take Mathematics as a compulsory subject. This marks one of the most notable changes as the first CBC cohort prepares to transition into senior secondary school.
Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang announced that beginning in the second term of this year, students in Grade 9 will have the opportunity to select their subjects and senior schools. Under the new framework, students will be required to take English or Kenya Sign Language, Kiswahili, Physical Education, and Community Service Learning as mandatory subjects. However, they will have the freedom to choose from a pool of 38 subjects, allowing them to tailor their academic paths according to their interests and future careers.
This change is a significant departure from the previous 8-4-4 system, where Mathematics was a compulsory subject, alongside English, Kiswahili, and two sciences (Physics, Chemistry, or Biology). The move is intended to provide greater flexibility and allow students to focus on areas that align with their strengths and career aspirations.
“We are giving them time to go home so that parents and learners can consult on their interests and what they wish to pursue. The selection process will begin immediately when they return to school,” Kipsang said, emphasizing the importance of parental involvement in the decision-making process.
Additionally, the Ministry of Education has proposed a new policy limiting the number of learners from a single junior secondary school who can join the same senior secondary school to a maximum of five. This is designed to promote diversity in placement, though some stakeholders have expressed concerns, particularly in day schools that typically draw students from their local communities.
The Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) also announced that the final Grade 9 score will be calculated based on three key components: the student’s performance in primary school, internal assessments conducted by teachers, and their score in the national Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA). The KJSEA, which will make up 60% of the final score, will also play a role in determining which senior secondary school a student will attend.
As the CBC pioneers prepare to make critical decisions about their academic futures, the country’s education landscape is undergoing a transformation that aims to better align education with students’ individual talents and career goals.
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