In a groundbreaking shift under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), the Kenyan government has announced that mathematics will no longer be a compulsory subject for all learners. Instead, students will be able to choose learning pathways aligned with their talents and career aspirations — including art, sports, and technical fields that may not require intensive maths.
While this move aims to make education more inclusive and personalised, it also raises important questions: What does this mean for learners’ long-term success? Will Kenya’s education system thrive with less emphasis on core academic subjects?
At Emms Tutor and Mentor, we’re exploring this change from a global lens.
Why Was Maths Made Optional?
The Ministry of Education has emphasised that the CBC is designed to accommodate diverse talents and reduce the pressure on learners who struggle with traditional academic subjects. The vision is to empower students to excel in what they love — whether it’s music, athletics, or technical crafts — without being held back by subjects they may never use in their future careers.
This mirrors a global trend: many countries are shifting from exam-heavy systems toward competency-based education, with flexibility and creativity at the core.
The Potential Benefits
1. Student-Centered Learning: Learners can now explore what they’re good at without the burden of subjects that feel irrelevant to them.
2.Improved Mental Health: Reducing academic pressure may decrease anxiety and burnout among students.
3.Inclusive Opportunities: This approach can help learners with learning difficulties or those who are gifted in non-academic areas to thrive.
The Risks: Are We Losing a Core Skill?
- Numeracy is Foundational: Even outside of STEM careers, basic maths is vital for everyday life — budgeting, decision-making, and problem-solving all depend on it.
- Global Competitiveness: In a world increasingly driven by data and tech, Kenya risks falling behind if large segments of its population lack strong math skills.
- Implementation Gaps: There’s still a lot of confusion around how CBC is being rolled out. Without proper teacher training and resources, this shift could widen inequality rather than solve it.
What the World Is Doing Differently
In the UK, for instance, mathematics remains compulsory up to the GCSE level (around age 16), but there’s a growing push to teach it in more engaging and practical ways — like using real-life applications, coding, and financial literacy.
Globally, the emphasis is shifting from making students memorise formulas to helping them understand concepts in ways that matter to their lives. Kenya’s reform could follow the same path — if done thoughtfully.
What We Believe at Emms Tutor and Mentor
We believe in balance. Education should be flexible enough to nurture creativity and innovation, but also strong enough to ensure all learners are equipped with essential life skills — and maths is one of them.
Instead of making mathematics optional, we should focus on making it relevant, practical, and accessible to every learner. That’s what we strive to do through our personalised tutoring and mentorship programs.
Final Thoughts
Kenya’s bold move reflects a growing global conversation: how do we create an education system that prepares students for real life — not just exams?
At Emms Tutor and Mentor, we’ll continue to support learners on both sides of the globe through this educational evolution — helping them grow in confidence, character, and capability.
Learning never stops. Let’s shape the future, one student at a time.
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