EXPLAINED: Subjects to Be Taught in Senior Schools and Weekly Lesson Hours (Full List)

As Grade 10 learners prepare to join senior schools in January 2026, the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) has released the official list of subjects that will be taught at senior school level under the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system.

This group of learners is the first cohort to sit the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) and also the first to transition into senior school under the new curriculum.

Structure of Senior School in Kenya

Senior school covers Grades 10, 11, and 12 and mainly serves learners aged 15 to 17 years.

According to KICD, senior school is designed to prepare learners for:

• University and tertiary education

• Career training

• Real-life skills based on individual interests and abilities

Learners are placed into one of three categories, depending on their strengths and career goals.

The Three Senior School Pathways

Senior school subjects are grouped into the following pathways:

1. Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)

2. Arts and Sports Science

3. Social Sciences

Learners choose subjects based on their interests, abilities, and guidance from career teachers.

Number of Subjects Learners Will Take

Each learner will study seven learning areas in total:

• Four core subjects

• Three elective subjects

This structure follows recommendations by the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms (2023).

Core Subjects at Senior School

All learners must take the following four compulsory subjects:

1. English

2. Kiswahili or Kenyan Sign Language (KSL)

3. Mathematics

   • Core Mathematics (for STEM learners)

   • Essential Mathematics (for non-STEM learners, focusing on practical life skills)

4. Community Service Learning (CSL)

Elective Subjects by Pathway

Learners will choose three elective subjects from their preferred pathway.

Arts and Sports Science Subjects

• Sports and Recreation

• Music and Dance

• Theatre and Film

• Fine Arts

Social Sciences Subjects

• Literature in English

• Indigenous Languages

• Fasihi ya Kiswahili

• Kenyan Sign Language

• Arabic

STEM Subjects

• Biology

• Chemistry

• Physics

• General Science

• Agriculture

• Computer Studies

• Home Science

• Aviation

• Building Construction

• Electricity

• Metalwork

Religious education and foreign languages include:

• Christian Religious Education (CRE)

• Islamic Religious Education (IRE)

• Hindu Religious Education

• French

• German

• Mandarin Chinese

Weekly Lesson Allocation at Senior School

Each lesson lasts 40 minutes, with a total of 40 lessons per week.

Core Subjects

• English – 5 lessons

• Kiswahili / KSL – 5 lessons

• Mathematics (Core or Essential) – 5 lessons

• Community Service Learning – 3 lessons

Elective Subjects

• Elective Subject 1 – 5 lessons

• Elective Subject 2 – 5 lessons

• Elective Subject 3 – 5 lessons

Other Learning Areas

• Physical Education – 3 lessons

• ICT Skills – 2 lessons

• Pastoral Programme Instruction (PPI) – 1 lesson

• Personal or Group Study – 1 lesson

Total lessons per week: 40

Additional Learning Areas

KICD noted that:

• Physical Education will help learners improve fitness, teamwork, and emotional well-being.

• ICT skills will be taught to all learners to support digital learning, creativity, and responsible use of technology.

• Pastoral Programme Instruction (PPI) will focus on moral values, discipline, and character development.

• Personal or group study time will allow learners to strengthen skills in areas of personal interest.

The senior school curriculum aims to give learners flexibility, practical skills, and early career direction. By allowing students to choose subjects based on ability and interest, the new system seeks to better prepare Kenyan learners for higher education and the job market.

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