Senior School students under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) can now choose subjects from multiple learning pathways following the introduction of a flexible subject selection policy by the Ministry of Education.
The policy, detailed in a circular by Prof Julius Bitok, Principal Secretary for Basic Education, gives learners the freedom to pick subjects across STEM, Arts & Sports Science, and Social Sciences streams, with choices guided by career aspirations and formal assessments. This reform aims to empower students to tailor their education to match future ambitions rather than being confined to a single discipline.
The directive has been communicated to all education officials at regional, county, and sub-county levels and copied to key institutions including the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC), the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS), and both university and TVET bodies.
Acknowledging the fluidity of career interests, Prof Bitok noted, “It should be anticipated that a learner’s career choice may require taking one subject in each pathway. Such a situation should be permitted.” The statement underscores the Ministry’s departure from rigid placement models toward a more personalized education approach.
The Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) has finalized the necessary curriculum designs to enable smooth implementation. The Ministry has also stressed that learners’ academic freedom must be respected, warning that administrative inflexibility or religious coercion should not hinder students from making independent choices.
A reminder from Circular Ref No: MOE.HQS/3/10/18 (dated March 4, 2022) was included, reaffirming that no student should be compelled to participate in religious activities against their personal beliefs.
Under the new plan, Senior Schools will operate on a 40-lesson week that includes Physical Education (PE), ICT literacy, personal and group study periods, and pastoral or religious instruction. This balanced schedule is designed to support both intellectual growth and personal well-being.
Education analysts say the move is a major step toward nurturing creativity, innovation, and adaptability among Kenyan learners. By allowing cross-pathway selections, the policy could produce graduates with a richer blend of skills, ready to tackle an increasingly complex job market.
