Math Crisis in Kenyan Schools: Teachers Sound Alarm on Plummeting Enrolment
Teachers across Kenya are raising red flags over the sharp decline in mathematics uptake, particularly as the subject turns optional in senior secondary schools from 2026.
This report details a petition by educators highlighting enrolment drops, with Ministry of Education data showing 1,330,459 students affected amid broader performance woes.
Computer science teachers have raised concerns that the Competency‑Based Education (CBE) is not fully preparing students for future careers in science and technology.
Speaking before the Public Petitions Committee of Parliament on March 4, Computer Science Teachers Association of Kenya (CSTAK) chairperson Fred Kagwe said that although the government has introduced coding lessons and started recruiting STEM teachers through the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), these steps are still too basic and only scratch the surface.
He warned that without stronger support, Kenya risks falling behind in the fast‑changing global tech world.
“Unlike extracurricular activities such as music, drama, and sports, STEM activities, particularly robotics, lack formal financial and policy support, resulting in unequal access, especially among marginalized communities,” stated Fred Kagwe.
Roots of the Decline
The Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) shift to optional maths in Grades 10-12 stems from chronic poor performance, where KCSE pass rates hover below 30% for minimum competency.
Primary assessments like KPSEA reveal only 5.4% exceeding expectations in maths, 18.1% meeting them, and 22.4% falling below—leaving 77.5% underprepared.
Factors include negative student attitudes, teacher shortages, and inadequate resources in underfunded day schools.
Exam Performance Snapshot
National exams expose the gap:
KCPE maths competency ranged 84-88% from 2016-2019, but KCSE for the same cohort plunged to 17-31% by 2023.
Grade 4 learners struggle, with just 33.8% solving basic Grade 3 problems; by Grade 6, 42.5% still falter.
Urban-rural divides widen, as elite national schools hog resources while 70% attend low-resourced facilities.
Teacher Concerns and Policy Shifts
Educators petition against low uptake, fearing a skills crisis in STEM fields vital for Vision 2030 goals like tech innovation and manufacturing.
Making maths optional aims to reduce dropout risks but sparks debate: experts warn it sidelines numeracy for workforce needs, urging 1:1 textbook ratios and teacher training.
Initiatives like MIPIP seek instructional upgrades through 2026.low maths proficiency threatens economic growth, with stagnant numeracy hindering jobs in finance, engineering, and data analytics.
Successful peers like Singapore emphasize early intervention; Kenya could adopt motivational programs, digital tools, and attitude counseling to reverse trends.Without action, optional status risks entrenching inequality, as fewer students pursue high-value careers.