Technical Studies Track

What the Technical Studies Track Covers

Technical Studies is the largest track in the STEM pathway. The Ministry of Education’s guidelines, citing KICD, list eight subjects: Aviation, Building Construction, Electricity, Metalwork, Power Mechanics, Woodwork, Media Technology, and Marine and Fisheries Technology. The Ministry’s combinations list has 179 Technical Studies combinations, more than any other track, because those eight subjects can be paired in many ways.

The most common partners in those combinations are Business Studies (75), Geography (73) and General Science (49). Among the technical subjects, Marine and Fisheries (38) and Media Technology (36) appear most, followed by Aviation (27). A typical combination is one technical subject with two supporting subjects, such as Geography, Metal Work and Physics, or Business Studies, General Science and Media Technology.

The Ministry’s guidelines say a learner who chooses Technical Studies subjects “will be eligible for dual certification”: the Kenya Certificate of Basic Education (KCBE) from KNEC at the end of Grade 12, and an artisan-equivalent certificate from an industrial training institution. In practice that means a Technical Studies learner can leave senior school with a recognised trade qualification as well as the general certificate, which helps whether they go straight to work, join a TVET college or continue to university.

This is the track for builders, fixers and makers. Signs to look for: they shine in Pre-Technical Studies, they take things apart at home, they enjoy drawing plans or models, or they spend time around a workshop, garage, boat or studio. Core Mathematics comes with STEM, and subjects such as Electricity and Power Mechanics use Mathematics and Physics, so practical skills should be matched by willingness to keep up with Mathematics.

Technical Studies is not a lesser option. Kenya needs electricians, aircraft technicians, builders and media producers, and many technical careers pay well and lead to engineering with further study.

• Aviation: aircraft maintenance, air traffic services, piloting (with further training).
• Building Construction and Woodwork: construction trades, site supervision, quantity surveying and architecture routes, carpentry and furniture design.
• Electricity, Metalwork and Power Mechanics: electrical installation, solar technology, welding and fabrication, motor vehicle and plant mechanics, engineering technician routes.
• Media Technology: broadcast, film and audio production, photography, digital content.
• Marine and Fisheries Technology: fisheries management, aquaculture, the blue economy and maritime work.

Technical Studies depends on workshops, tools and specialist teachers, so far fewer schools offer it, and each school usually offers only a few technical subjects. Marine and Fisheries Technology is mostly relevant to schools near the coast and lakes. Choose the subject first, then search our senior school finder and confirm on the Ministry’s selection portal which schools actually offer that combination. Being realistic here avoids a placement in a combination your child did not want.

Practise Grade 9 Pre-Technical Studies and Mathematics, then the CBC Challenge.

Frequently Asked Questions

What subjects are in Technical Studies?

Aviation, Building Construction, Electricity, Metalwork, Power Mechanics, Woodwork, Media Technology, and Marine and Fisheries Technology.

What is dual certification in Technical Studies?

Learners who take Technical Studies subjects are eligible for the KCBE from KNEC and an artisan-equivalent certificate from an industrial training institution, according to the Ministry’s senior school guidelines.

Can a Technical Studies learner go to university?

Yes. Technical Studies is part of STEM and includes Core Mathematics. The KCBE is the same certificate every senior school learner earns.

Do many schools offer Aviation or Marine and Fisheries?

Few schools do, because these subjects need specialist facilities and teachers. Confirm availability on the Ministry’s selection portal before choosing.

• Ministry of Education, Guidelines for Implementation of Senior School Education (October 2025)
• Ministry of Education, Full list of senior schools’ pathways, tracks and subject combinations

Information is checked against official documents as of 18 October 2026. Where the Ministry has not yet announced something for the 2026 cohort, we say so.