KICD to introduce separate Math curriculum for non-STEM tracks

The Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) is working swiftly to create new mathematics textbooks tailored for senior school students who are not pursuing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) pathways.

The new subject, called Essential Mathematics, will serve learners in Social Sciences, Arts, and Sports tracks.

This move follows public concern after an earlier announcement that mathematics would be optional in senior school.

The idea at that point was that all learners need some form of mathematics at senior school.

"When that announcement was being made, we had already developed a curriculum for the particular subject that we thought was suitable for students opting for that option (STEM), so that is already done and it will be offered as it was developed," said KICD CEO/Director Charles Ong’ondo.

KICD has released curriculum support materials for mathematics under the STEM option.

Essential Mathematics will cover the needs of learners not taking the STEM pathway.

"That which is essential to other learners who are not doing STEM - so the mathematics which was already developed will be pursued by STEM students in senior school, (while) Essential Mathematics (will be pursued) by non-STEM students," Ong’ondo told the Daily Nation.

The draft curriculum for Essential Mathematics is ready and will be edited soon.

It will then go through various approval steps, including review by an academic committee and presentation to stakeholders, before final approval by the council.

All these processes are expected to be completed by June 2025.

Afterward, publishers will be invited to submit textbooks, which will be reviewed in August 2025 to prepare for distribution in Grade 10.

Prof Ong’ondo assured that the institute will have the curriculum and textbooks ready for non-STEM students by the time senior school learners start in 2026.

 "However, it must be understood that even students in these pathways who decide that they will do the mathematics undertaken by STEM students have the freedom to do so," he added.

Under the old 8-4-4 system, mathematics was compulsory from primary through secondary school.

After widespread public feedback, the Ministry of Education confirmed that mathematics would remain a core subject in the new competency-based curriculum.

Prof. Ong’ondo highlighted that core subjects aim to equip all learners with essential skills.

"There are skills or competencies considered generic that every learner, regardless of their preferred pathway, should be exposed to. The earlier conceptualisation of curriculum subjects included English Language, Kiswahili, and Community Service Learning," said Prof. Ong’ondo.

At a recent National Conversation on Competency-Based Education, Prof. Ong’ondo explained the importance of English for global communication, Kiswahili for regional unity, and Community Service Learning for practical experience.

"The country has spoken - mathematics shall now be one of the core learning areas. Our duty is to take it through the relevant processes, and I want to assure Kenyans that by the time we reach 2026, we shall have mathematics tailored for both STEM and other pathways, complete with curriculum support materials," he concluded.