Last reviewed: 24 October 2026
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) is one of the three senior school pathways under Competency-Based Education. It is also the pathway the most learners showed potential for in the first KJSEA results. This guide explains how STEM is organised, what learners study, and how to tell whether it suits your child.
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The Three STEM Tracks
The Ministry of Education and the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) split STEM into three tracks. Examples of three-subject combinations from the Ministry’s published list:
- Pure Sciences: for example Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
- Applied Sciences: for example Agriculture, Computer Studies and Physics.
- Technical Studies: for example Geography, Metal Work and Physics.
The full list of combinations is published on the Ministry’s selection portal. Not every school offers every combination, so check before choosing schools.
Core Subjects Alongside STEM
Every senior school learner takes four core subjects on top of the three pathway subjects: English, Kiswahili (or Kenyan Sign Language), Community Service Learning and Mathematics. STEM learners take Core Mathematics, while learners in the other pathways take Essential Mathematics. Physical Education and ICT are timetabled as support subjects. See Core vs Essential Mathematics.
How Many Learners Showed STEM Potential?
When the 2025 KJSEA results were released, the Ministry reported that 59.09% of learners showed potential for STEM, compared with 46.52% for Social Sciences and 48.73% for Arts and Sports. The shares add up to more than 100% because a learner can show potential for more than one pathway.
Priority Boarding for Top STEM Learners
For the first cohort, the top six boys and six girls in each STEM track in every sub-county got their preferred boarding schools. That was more priority slots than in the other pathways, where the top three (Social Sciences) or top two (Arts and Sports) of each gender got priority. Read priority boarding slots explained.
Signs STEM May Suit Your Child
- Consistently strong results in Mathematics and Integrated Science, including KJSEA levels in the Meeting or Exceeding range.
- Curiosity about how things work, from machines to plants to phones.
- Enjoyment of problem solving, building, coding or experiments.
- For Technical Studies, enjoyment of hands-on Pre-Technical Studies projects.
Interest matters as much as marks. A learner who dislikes Mathematics may struggle with three years of Core Mathematics even with a good grade.
Where STEM Can Lead
STEM combinations prepare learners for further study in fields such as medicine, engineering, computing, agriculture, architecture and the technical trades. Pure Sciences keeps the widest range of science options open, while Applied Sciences and Technical Studies lean towards practical and applied careers.
Choosing STEM Schools
C1 schools, the former national schools, offer all three pathways. Many day schools offer two pathways, depending on staff and facilities. Use the Senior School Finder to see schools by county and cluster, then confirm pathways on the official selection portal. Our pathway guide walks through the full decision.
Build Strength Now
Our KJSEA grade calculator helps you read results by learning area. Full Mathematics and Integrated Science papers with worked answers are in the Monthly Pass (KSh 500) or the Year Pass (KSh 4,000), paid by M-Pesa.