The government is listening and relooking into the proposed relegation of Mathematics from a mandatory subject to an optional one.
This is according to Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos, who spoke at Nyabururu Girls in Kisii County on Saturday.
CS Migos said that the Ministry of Education (MoE) has been engaging stakeholders to get necessary feedback that can enable them to streamline contentious issues.
“The feedback on the proposal to make Mathematics optional is good. We are listening to it, looking at it, and analysing it to see if we have made the right decision for the sector,” said the CS.
Kisii County Senator Richard Onyonka, who had accompanied the CS to the school, vouched for continuing Maths as a mandatory subject for the children to study.
“Mathematics distinguishes between the ability to analyse, interpret and calculate. Please tell President William Ruto to allow some to do pure maths and some moderate maths,” said Onyonka.
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In the meantime, CS Migos explains that there is a consensus that various reforms in the education sector are on course, save for a few challenges.
For instance, he said everything is now set as the first Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) cohort is expected to join Grade 10 in Senior School next year.
“After conducting countrywide dialogues throughout the country, I am happy to report that there is a consensus that the reforms in education are rolling out well despite a few challenges,” he said.
He said that the ministry and stakeholders have fully addressed all concerns on career pathways.
“I wish to inform you that we have now fully addressed the concerns about the transition from junior school to senior school, particularly regarding career pathways and placement criteria. The feedback from our stakeholders has been weaved into our earlier proposals, and we now have guidelines that are fit for the purpose of placing our learners in grade 10 next year,” he said.
The CS noted that placement in different pathways shall be guided by “learner interests, available infrastructure and equity considerations”.
He also mentioned that schools will be supported to offer at least two or three pathways to ensure learners have options that are aligned with their career aspirations.
He said schools will have better infrastructure and be supported to offer multiple pathways.
On the contentious University Funding Model, the minister announced that the government would continue implementing it until the case in the Court of Appeal has been heard and determined.
“I wish to announce that the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) and the University Fund will immediately open their portal to allow first and 2nd-year students wishing to make appeals for loans and scholarships under the student-centred model to do so,” he said.
By Depot Ochieng’
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