EXPLAINED: Number of Subjects to Be Taught in Senior Schools and Weekly Lesson Hours [Full List]

List Of Subjects To Be Taught In Senior Schools And Weekly Lesson Allocation

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba commissioning the newly constructed Shanzu Senior School in Kisauni Constituency on

As Grade 10 learners prepare to join senior schools in January 2026, following the pathways they selected, the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) has published a comprehensive list of subjects to be taught at the senior school level.

This cohort was the first to sit the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) and is also the first group of Grade 10 learners under the Competency-Based Education (CBE) curriculum.

Senior School, which comprises Grades 10, 11, and 12, is structured around three pathways:

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)

Arts and Sports Science

Social Sciences

According to KICD, the purpose of senior school is to provide learners with a pre-tertiary, pre-university, and pre-career experience, allowing them to select subjects based on demonstrated interest, aptitude, and potential at earlier levels.

List of Subjects and Weekly Lesson Hours

Senior School runs for three years and generally caters to learners aged 15 to 17 years.

At this level, learners will take seven learning areas, as recommended by the Presidential Working Party on Educational Reforms (PWPER, 2023). These include four core subjects, namely:

English

Kiswahili or Kenyan Sign Language (KSL)

Mathematics (Core or Essential)

Community Service Learning (CSL)

Learners pursuing the STEM pathway will take Core Mathematics, while those in non-STEM pathways will take Essential Mathematics, which focuses on utilitarian skills.

In addition, learners will select three elective subjects based on their career interests, personality, and aptitude, with guidance from a career teacher.

List of Subjects at Senior School

Core Subjects Arts & Sports Science Social Sciences Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM)

1. English 1. Sports and Recreation 1. Literature in English 1. Biology

2. Kiswahili/KSL 2. Music and Dance 2. Indigenous Languages 2. Chemistry

3. Core Mathematics/ 3. Theatre and Film 3. Fasihi ya Kiswahili 3. Physics

4. Essential Mathematics 4. Fine Arts 4. Sign Language 4. General Science

5. Community Service Learning (CSL) 5. Arabic 5. Agriculture

6. French 6. Computer Studies

7. German 7. Home Science

8. Mandarin Chinese 8. Aviation

9. Christian Religious Education 9. Building Construction

10. Islamic Religious Education 10. Electricity

11. Hindu Religious Education 11. Metalwork

Lesson Distribution at Senior School

Subjects No of Lessons Per Week (40 minutes per lesson)

Core Subjects 4

1. English 5

2. Kiswahili 5

3. Essential Mathematics/Core Mathematics 5

4. Community Service Learning 3

Elective Subjects

5. Elective 1 5

6. Elective 2 5

7. Elective 3 5

*Physical Education 3

*ICT Skills 2

*PPI 1

*Learner Personal/Group Study 1

Total Number of Lessons 40

Besides publishing the list of subjects that will be taught in Senior schools, KICD also noted that all learners will be provided with opportunities through Physical Education to develop physical fitness, strengthen socio-emotional competencies, and enhance healthy lifestyles.

In addition, Information Communication and Technology (ICT) skills will be offered to all learners to facilitate learning and enjoyment. These skills include accessing, creating, digital citizenship, and caring for ICT devices. The teacher should use ICT skills for the delivery of lessons.

Every school, according to KICD, will offer Pastoral Programme Instruction (PPI) to enhance the moral, spiritual, and character development of the learners.

What’s more, one lesson will be used for personal or group study to deepen knowledge and enhance skills in areas of choice by the learners.