The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has directed schools to strictly adhere to new guidelines during the ongoing registration of Grade 10 learners, saying the selected subjects will determine learner placement, classroom instruction and future assessments.
In a circular dated July 27 and directed to schools, KNEC said the registration exercise must be based on learners’ confirmed subject choices and career pathway selections.
The council also urged institutions to ensure that all entries comply with the approved Senior School curriculum.
“Subject choices registered will form the basis for learner placement, instruction, and subsequent assessment processes; therefore, schools must ensure accuracy and compliance with the prescribed guidelines,” the KNEC circular states.
KNEC instructed schools to register learners only after confirming their subject combinations to ensure they align with the pathways available in each institution.
The council also outlined several restrictions that schools must observe during registration.
Rules Learners Must Follow When Choosing Subjects
General Science and Pure Sciences
KNEC said learners who register for General Science will not be allowed to take Biology, Physics or Chemistry.
“A learner who registers for General Science shall not be eligible to register for either Biology, Physics or Chemistry,” the council said.
The directive means schools must ensure learners choose either General Science or the Pure Sciences track before registration is completed.
Mathematics Requirements
The council also outlined the mathematics requirements based on the selected pathway.
Learners taking two or three Pure Science subjects—Biology, Physics and Chemistry—must register for Core Mathematics.
Those pursuing Applied Sciences or Technical and Engineering under the STEM pathway may choose either Core Mathematics or Essential Mathematics.
Similarly, learners in the Social Sciences and Arts and Sports pathways may also opt for either Core Mathematics or Essential Mathematics.
Religious Education Subjects
The council also limited learners to one religious education subject.
Under the guidelines, learners may register for only one of Christian Religious Education (CRE), Islamic Religious Education (IRE) or Hindu Religious Education (HRE).
Kenya Sign Language
KNEC said Kenya Sign Language (KSL) will only be offered to learners who are deaf.
Learners taking KSL will not be eligible to register for Kiswahili or Fasihi ya Kiswahili, while hearing learners cannot take KSL but may register for Sign Language Skills instead.
“Hearing learners cannot take KSL but can take Sign Language Skills,” the circular states.
KNEC urged schools to verify all subject selections before completing registration, noting that the choices made at this stage will guide teaching, learning and assessment throughout senior school.
Subjects Offered Under the Three Senior School Pathways
The registration exercise comes as Grade 10 learners continue the rollout of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), in which assessments are based on the pathways and subjects they select.
Under the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) pathway, learners are assessed in subjects including Core Mathematics, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, General Science, Computer Science, Home Science, Agriculture, Aviation, Building Construction, Electricity, Metalwork, Power Mechanics, Woodwork, Media Technology, Marine and Fisheries Technology, and Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
Learners in the Social Sciences pathway undertake assessments in English, Literature in English, Kiswahili, Fasihi ya Kiswahili, Kenya Sign Language, Sign Language Skills, Arabic, French, German, Chinese (Mandarin), Indigenous Languages, and Community Service Learning.
Those in the Arts and Sports pathway complete project-based assessments in Music and Dance, Theatre and Film, Sports and Recreation, Fine Arts and Physical Education.
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