The Madness Of Making Mathematics Optional: A Blunder So Stupid It Could Only Come From Ruto’s Incompetent Government

In yet another act of utter incompetence, the government, under the misguided leadership of President Ruto and the oblivious PS of Education, Belio Kipsang, has decided that Mathematics will be optional in senior secondary schools. Yes, you heard that right—Mathematics, that seemingly insurmountable hurdle that has been the backbone of scientific progress, innovation, and intellectual development for centuries, will now be optional.

This, of course, is the latest example of a government that seems hell-bent on dismantling any hope for a brighter, smarter future for Kenya’s youth. Who needs logic and critical thinking when you can simply remove the most crucial subject from the curriculum? After all, who needs mathematicians, scientists, or engineers when we have a government that could stand as a monument to incompetence itself?

Let’s put it bluntly—this decision is not just ridiculous; it is catastrophic. Mathematics is the very foundation upon which critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation are built. Removing it as a compulsory subject is akin to telling our children that logic and reasoning don’t matter in a world that is rapidly advancing in technology, medicine, engineering, and every field that relies on analytical thinking. It is the kind of backward, idiotic policy that one might expect from a government that seems completely out of touch with reality. Every Kenyan with half a brain is aghast. From businessmen trying to balance their books to students dreaming of a career in engineering or technology, this decision sends the clear message that competence and intellectual development are no longer priorities in Kenya.

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The Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) has rightly voiced its opposition to this ludicrous policy, pointing out that this decision severely undermines students’ ability to develop the analytical skills needed for success in engineering and technical fields. And they are right. The technical and engineering fields are the lifeblood of any modern economy. Without solid foundations in Mathematics, no one will have the tools to create the infrastructure, the technology, or the innovative solutions that Kenya desperately needs to climb out of the pits of underdevelopment. What is the point of giving a generation the tools to “succeed” in education, only to deprive them of the ability to think critically, solve problems, and reason logically? This policy is a direct assault on our collective future.

Perhaps the most shocking thing about this decision is the audacity with which the Ministry of Education, under Belio Kipsang, has decided to implement it. One would think that the Ministry of Education would have consulted with experts—scientists, educators, and professionals in fields that require Mathematics as a foundation. But no, instead, we have a PS who is so out of touch with the needs of the country that he’s willing to destroy the very bedrock upon which any country’s future is built. Belio Kipsang, you are the embodiment of incompetence, and your tenure as PS will forever be remembered for one thing: a colossal failure to safeguard the future of Kenya’s education system.

The sad irony is that this move comes at a time when other nations are doubling down on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education in response to global competition. Countries like China, India, and even the United States are investing heavily in these fields because they know that the future belongs to those who can innovate and think critically. Meanwhile, Kenya, in its infinite wisdom, has decided to take a giant leap backward, telling its students that they don’t need to bother with something as trivial as Mathematics. It’s almost as if the government is actively trying to ensure that Kenya will remain an intellectual backwater in the global arena. The audacity!

This decision also speaks volumes about the government’s failure to understand the broader implications of education policy. It’s not just about Math as a subject; it’s about the skills students develop by grappling with complex problems and learning to think logically. How does the Ministry of Education expect students to tackle problems in fields like engineering, architecture, medicine, or technology if they can’t even understand the basics of algebra or calculus? This policy is an outright betrayal of our children’s future.

Of course, let’s not forget the kind of students this policy is designed to benefit. The ones who would rather take the easy route, avoid challenging subjects, and coast through their education. This policy serves their interests quite well, doesn’t it? But what about the rest of us—the ones who care about the future of this country and are willing to put in the work to secure it? What about the students who are determined to go into fields that require Mathematics as a fundamental skill? This policy throws them under the bus and sets them up for failure.

Let’s not sugarcoat it—this policy is designed to dumb down the next generation of Kenyans. It’s not about making education more accessible or equitable; it’s about making sure that the country’s future is filled with unqualified graduates who have no idea how to think critically or solve complex problems. It’s a recipe for mediocrity. It’s like giving a chef the ingredients to a gourmet dish and then telling them to throw it all together without any skill or knowledge. The results will be disastrous.

Kenyans, from all walks of life, are rightfully furious about this backward policy. How could a government that claims to care about the future of the nation come up with such an ill-conceived and damaging decision? How could a leader who claims to be a champion of progress, education, and development allow a policy like this to be passed? We are all demanding that the Ministry of Education urgently reverse this asinine decision and do what’s right for the future of Kenya’s students.

There are many reasons to be angry at Belio Kipsang and the Ministry of Education, but the most glaring one is that they are so out of touch with the realities of the world. This policy is not just ignorant; it’s dangerous. It’s a direct attack on the future of our children, and it should be met with outrage and resistance from every corner of the country. Every Kenyan knows that without a strong foundation in Mathematics, we are doomed to remain in the intellectual stone age. But of course, who needs intellectual rigor when you have a government so eager to destroy its future?

Let us be clear: this decision is not just a bad policy. It is an attack on the future of Kenya. It is an attempt to sabotage the next generation’s ability to compete in a world that demands critical thinking, innovation, and problem-solving. And it’s happening right under our noses, while we sit idly by and allow it to happen. It’s time for every Kenyan to stand up and demand that the Ministry of Education reverse this decision before it’s too late.

The decision to make Mathematics optional in senior secondary schools is an act of utter foolishness that defies logic and reason. It’s a move so backward that it makes you wonder if the Ministry of Education is living in the dark ages. Kenyans deserve better. We deserve an education system that prepares our children for the future, not one that holds them back. Belio Kipsang and the Ministry of Education must be held accountable for this disastrous policy, and we must demand that they reverse it before it’s too late. The future of our country depends on it.

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