I will not allow that which made me who I am to be a genie pig of some sort. The 8-4-4 education system was introduced in Kenya after thorough research was carried out. It had clearly stated the aims of education and proper guidelines on the objective achievements.
Subjects which were offered all the way from lower primary to University were tailored towards ensuring ‘Education for Self Reliance’. Considering the second goal which is to promote social, economic, technological and industrial needs for national development, curriculum developed to aid in this achievement is a problem.
How do you expect this curriculum to produce a citizen with skills and expertise to aid in the growing the economy while the curriculum contents do not favour development of such qualities?
The philosophy drilled into the minds of our children is that, they should study hard and pass their exams then they will get a good job which means a good life. Who cares about that child who cannot solve any arithmetic problem but can do accurate construction? Don’t we see the ability in this child as a better artist than academician? We end up segregating such kids, call them names, force them to repeat classes and push them to Harambee Schools with no facilities at all. What do you expect?
The answer is very emotional and aggressive societies who will start blaming the systems hindering growth. I teach the British curriculum and the way these children are nurtured, it leaves them satisfied. They grow their self-esteem and explore their talents wildly. The teachers' role is just to tame this talent and not to choose the kid’s destiny.
Coming to our examination system, it leaves a big question: What is the role of these KNEC exams given in the name of KCPE and KCSE? The grading system does not reveal much about the ability of the kids. For instance, 0 - 29 is graded as E. Why is it so hard for KNEC to print the Marks attained and the grades rather than the grades alone? A child who scores 2% can never have the same ability as the kid who scores 29%. These marks need to be printed besides the grades.
Our education system can be one of the best in the world if we can tame the non-professionalism with which the curriculum is handled and submitted.
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