Shammah Kiteme, President at Institution of Engineers of Kenya
The Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) has threatened to take legal action against the Ministry of Education if Mathematics is not included as a core subject in the Arts and Sports Science and Social Sciences pathways for senior school learners.
IEK President Shammah Kiteme, speaking to to a national Television, emphasized the importance of Mathematics in everyday life and across all career fields, not just in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). He argued that eliminating it as a requirement in the Arts and Social Sciences pathways could negatively impact learners’ career prospects and economic opportunities.
The controversy stems from the Ministry of Education’s recent announcement regarding new senior school guidelines, which were disclosed during the closure of the nationwide county dialogue on education reforms on March 13, 2025.
Under the new system, learners transitioning to Grade 10 must select one of three career pathways:
- STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)
- Arts and Sports Sciences
- Social Sciences
Students are required to study seven subjects, four core and three elective. However Mathematics is only mandatory for those in the STEM pathway, a decision defended by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) and the government’s technical working group on education reforms.
Despite this, IEK and other stakeholders have strongly opposed the move, arguing that Mathematics remains crucial in disciplines beyond STEM. As an alternative, IEK has suggested the introduction of practical Mathematics for non-STEM learners to ensure they acquire essential numeracy skills.
The Ministry of Education had projected that 60 percent of Grade 9 learners would pursue STEM courses, while 15 percent would opt for Arts and Sports, and 25 percent for Social Sciences. However, with the growing resistance from education experts, the government may be forced to reconsider its stance.
IEK has now issued a warning that if the Ministry does not reverse the decision, it will seek legal redress to ensure Mathematics remains a fundamental part of Kenya’s education system.