Kenya, April 24 -- Kenya's Education Cabinet Secretary, Migos Ogamba, announced today that some form of mathematics will be required in schools. This decision comes after many parents, teachers, and others expressed worries about the importance of math in the new Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
At a press conference in Nairobi, Ogamba said, "We have heard your concerns and decided that every student will need to learn some math."
This announcement follows discussions with educators and parents who believe that learning math is essential for developing good thinking skills and preparing students for jobs in the global market.
Earlier, there were concerns that math might be optional under this new curriculum, which caused many people to speak out on social media, stressing how important math is for careers in areas like technology and finance.
One person noted, "Finally, sense prevails! Math is the backbone of innovation," showing what many Kenyans feel.
Ogamba did not explain how much math will be required or if it will apply to all grade levels. He promised that more details would come soon.
The Ministry of Education plans to work with the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) to make sure math is included properly in the CBC.
The announcement has started new conversations about training teachers and making sure there are enough resources in schools, especially in rural areas.
Recent information from the Ministry shows that more than 30% of public schools do not have enough math teachers. Ogamba committed to fixing this by hiring more teachers and providing professional development.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Bana Kenya.