Senior School Pathways in Kenya (Grade 10–12): Full Guide
Under Kenya’s Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), Senior School comprises Grades 10, 11, and 12. At this level, learners are required to choose one specialized pathway based on their interests, talents, and career aspirations. The three available pathways are:
- Arts and Sports Science
- Social Sciences
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
Each pathway offers a set of core and optional subjects, with subject combinations guided by student preference and school infrastructure capabilities.
1. Arts and Sports Science Pathway
This pathway is divided into two key areas: Arts and Sports Science, each with required core subjects and a range of optional choices.
Arts Subjects
- Core Subjects:
- Legal and Ethical Issues in Arts
- Communication Skills
- Optional Subjects(Choose 1–2):
- Performing Arts
- Music
- Dance
- Theatre and Elocution
- Fine Art
- Applied Art
- Time-Based Media
- Crafts
Sports Science Subjects
- Core Subjects:
- Human Physiology, Anatomy, and Nutrition
- Sports Ethics
- Optional Subjects(Choose 1–2):
- Athletics
- Indoor Games
- Gymnastics
- Water Sports
- Boxing
- Martial Arts
- Outdoor Pursuits
- Advanced Physical Education
2. Social Sciences Pathway
Learners in this pathway must choose at least 3 and up to 5 subjects from the following categories:
Humanities
- History and Citizenship
- Geography
- Christian Religious Education
- Islamic Religious Education
- Hindu Religious Education
- Business Studies
- Mathematics
Languages
- English Language
- Literature in English
- Kiswahili (Lugha ya Kiswahili and Fasihi ya Kiswahili)
- Kenyan Sign Language
- Indigenous Languages
- Arabic
- French
- German
- Mandarin
3. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) Pathway
The STEM pathway is divided into four distinct tracks:
a) Pure Sciences
- Core Subjects:
- Community Service Learning
- Physical Education
- ICT
- Optional Subjects(Choose at least 3):
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biology
b) Applied Sciences
- Core Subjects:
- Community Service Learning
- Physical Education
- ICT
- Optional Subjects(Choose 1):
- Agriculture
- Computer Science
- Foods and Nutrition
- Home Management
c) Technical and Engineering
- Core Subjects:
- Community Service Learning
- Physical Education
- ICT
- Mathematics
- Chemistry or Biological Sciences
- Physics or Biology or Physical Sciences
- Optional Subjects(Choose 1):
- Agricultural Technology
- Geosciences Technology
- Marine and Fisheries Technology
- Aviation Technology
- Wood Technology
- Electrical Technology
- Metal Technology
- Power Mechanics
- Clothing Technology
- Construction Technology
- Media Technology
- Electronics Technology
- Manufacturing Technology
- Mechatronics
d) Career in Technology Studies
- Core Subjects:
- Community Service Learning
- Physical Education
- ICT
- Optional Subjects(Choose 1):
- Garment Making and Interior Design
- Leather Work
- Culinary Arts
- Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy
- Plumbing and Ceramics
- Welding and Fabrication
- Tourism and Travel
- Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
- Animal Keeping
- Exterior Design and Landscaping
- Building Construction
- Photography
- Graphic Design and Animation
- Food and Beverage
- Motor Vehicle Mechanics
- Carpentry and Joinery
- Fire Fighting
- Metalwork
- Electricity
- Land Surveying
- Science Laboratory Technology
- Electronics
- Printing Technology
- Crop Production
Important Notes:
- Community Service Learning and Physical Education are mandatory core subjects for all learners in Senior School, regardless of the selected pathway.
- Schools should only offer subjects that match their available facilities and infrastructure.
