The statement made by the Department of Education regarding the removal of Mathematics as a mandatory course for students moving up to Senior school starting next year among Grade 9 pupils has sparked both enthusiasm and criticism amongst learners and various parties involved.
Before the transition, students from the pioneering Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) class will need to select their career paths prior to taking their examinations. The Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA) will take place in November.
Last week’s Thursday, Basic Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang declared that ninth-grade students will start choosing their subjects and upper-level institutions during the second term of this year.
They will choose topics from a selection of 38 learning areas, which will guide their future career paths.
The students will be assigned to the Senior School through three distinct career paths referred to as tracks (subject combinations, also termed as learning areas within the CBC framework).
These are: (I) Arts and Physical Sciences; (II) Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM); (III) Social Studies.
STEM offers four pathways: Pure Science, Applied Science, Technology and Engineering, and Career Technical Studies (CTS).
After removing Mathematics, English or Kenyan Sign Language, Kiswahili, Physical Education, and Community Service Learning remain as the sole compulsory subjects for all students, irrespective of their future career paths.
This marks a change from the 40-year-old 8-4-4 system that prioritized Mathematics as a key component of STEM subjects along with Physics and Chemistry.
Currently, a student has the option to pursue STEM disciplines without explicitly studying Mathematics, which poses a challenging situation. Across the globe, mathematics is an essential requirement for pursuing careers in STEM fields, business studies, and sports science.
This topic serves as a foundational requirement for numerous college-level classes, particularly those focused on fields like engineering, science, and technology.
In an exclusive interview with Nation in Mombasa published on March 11, PS Kipsang aimed to explain why mathematics should not be a compulsory subject.
"The aim is to unravel the mandatory aspect of mathematics. While it’s essential for all educational institutions to incorporate STEM tracks into their curriculum, enrolling students in these programs doesn’t imply they will be compelled to pursue them; rather, it ensures such options are accessible," stated the PS.
In his first statement, he mentioned: "During Grade 10, taking mathematics and science courses isn’t mandatory. Since without focusing on either humanities or sciences, what’s the reason for needing to study mathematics?"
On Monday, March 17, the Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) issued a statement protesting the choice to make Mathematics non-mandatory as part of the curriculum.
While certain students who disliked the topic showed enthusiasm, IEK cautioned that Making mathematics elective at the senior school level presents obstacles that might affect Kenya's workforce and economic stability.
The engineers' association contended that lacking a strong foundation in mathematics, students would find it difficult to cultivate the essential analytical abilities required for excelling in engineering and various technical fields.
The institution stated, "Specifically, mathematics serves as the linguistic foundation for engineering and technology, supporting crucial aspects such as design, optimization, problem-solving, and data analysis across various domains including civil and electrical engineering, as well as emerging areas like artificial intelligence and renewable energy."
To provide some context for the engineers' concerns, here is a list of courses that demand a strong grasp of mathematics. Without this foundation, enrollment will not be possible. at numerous institutions of higher learning around the globe.
Mathematics:
For those aiming to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics, choosing this field comes as a natural selection.
Actuarial Science:
This area utilizes mathematical models for evaluating risk and making financial choices.
Statistics:
Statistics is a field within mathematics concerned with gathering, examining, understanding, and displaying data.
Business and Economics:
A variety of business programs such as Business Administration include finance, accounting, and economics, each demanding a solid grasp of mathematical principles.
Economics places significant emphasis on mathematical models and statistical analysis.
Engineering:
This encompasses civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering disciplines.
Science:
The classes cover physics, chemistry, and biology, frequently integrating mathematical concepts.
Technology:
Tech courses that extensively depend on mathematical principles and abilities encompass Computer Science, Information Technology (IT), along with various associated disciplines.
Architecture:
Courses in architecture and design necessitate knowledge of mathematical concepts and a robust grasp of spatial reasoning.
Sports Science:
While not definitively popular in the sense of being a mainstream career choice, sports science is gaining traction in Kenya in cognisance of Its significance for an athlete's health and athletic output.
The fields of sports science and sports management frequently entail data analysis and mathematical modeling.
Considering Kenya's extensive background in athletics, basketball, volleyball, and netball, it makes for a worthwhile career path.
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