Learners in Grade Nine from all over Kenya are showing a clear preference for Geography and Business Studies as they choose their subjects for Grade 10 under the new curriculum set to roll out next year. The new curriculum will be competency based.

Dr. William Sugut, Director of Secondary Education at the Ministry of Education, shared these insights during the Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA) summit currently underway in Mombasa. He revealed that subjects like electricity, woodwork, and metalwork attracted the fewest number of students, highlighting a growing trend in learner interests.

Students are now required to undertake one of three pathways: Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM), Social Sciences or Arts and Sports. Not every school offers all pathways but national schools will because they are better equipped than others.

Dr. Sugut emphasized that there are few schools that have the facility to offer certain subject mixtures and this could compromise how learners opt for subjects.

“We are not choosing the school but the combinations,” he said to the school leaders. “Some people want to start from the school but that is not possible. Tell the learners to start with the pathway, followed by the combination. Schools that offer the combinations will pop up. They can then make selection from there.”

The first cohort under the new curriculum will already be transiting by January and 9, 606 secondary schools have already selected the subject combinations. These combinations have been approved at Sub-county level by the Sub-county education directors in consultation with quality assurance officers.

But he said there were infrastructure deficits in place. At least 1,369 high schools are yet to have laboratories for subjects with practical lessons.

“They need 1,609 laboratories and we are working on addressing the challenge,” Dr.Sugut said.

Dr. Sugut asked the schools to review the subject combinations in two days in consultation with sub-county education officers. Once the review is concluded the portal will be closed by the Ministry so that junior schools can enter data.

Addressing the principals at the conference, Dr. Sugut emphasized the importance of recognizing each learner’s unique talents during the selection process.

“If we’re not careful, we’ll find ourselves right back where we started,” he cautioned. “Kenyans will demand to be told why we initiated the changes.”

He also reminded principals to factor in timetabling challenges when choosing subject combinations. “Some learners may be good in every subject, but allow them to choose. Advise them on the choices to be made,” he advised.