Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has promised to oppose the Ministry of Education’s move to make Mathematics an optional subject in secondary schools in the new Competency-Based Curriculum.
Kisii Branch executive Secretary Joseph Mogire Abincha, who addressed a crowd of mourners in one of the funeral ceremonies yesterday, said that the proposal would cripple the foundation of most needed careers like Engineering, Medicine, Architecture, Accounting and Aviation.
“Mathematics is a score subject that probes science subjects like physics and Chemistry whose contribution takes an immense position in this modern era of technology,” he said.
Abincha illustrated a mass exodus of students who wanted to replace their subjects with topics such as history and Christian religion. These subjects required students to memorize information and only present key points on examination tests to pass.
He asked the curriculum development to be taken back to the drawing board. He advised the government against making hurried decisions on reforming education because it might have immense effects on the system.
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He observed that understanding reformation in the education sector from time to time to suit the country’s development demands is good. Still, it is blamed on the policymakers who use it to suit their political whims.
“Politicians and their style of politics come and go, but education remains for posterity; therefore, we need to safeguard its quality because it is the best inheritance we can leave to our children,” he said.
While thanking the government for encouraging the development of TVET, whose most subjects require Mathematics, he advised them not to discard it in secondary school because it will directly limit those who will take practical mechanical-related careers in the institutions.
“Go to any construction firm or even tailoring. Mathematics is needed to discern the correct measurements in these trades and others. Let us not kill them by devaluing the subject,” he said.
The secretary asked the government to avoid diverting the electorates’ minds by introducing contradictory policies at the expense of debating important national matters like healing the economy and creating employment for the country’s majority youth.
By Enock Okong’o
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