Early education is Kenya was based on a curriculum set up by British colonists. Eventually, Kenya broke free from the restraints of colonization and took matters into their own hands. When Kenya gained independence in 1963, they established the Ominde Commission and changed the educational system. Instead of being Eurocentric, they shifted their focus to national identity and unity and added history and geography to reflect that change. AfricaSpeaks.com outlines how the educational system has morphed into its present-day entity.

The article “The Education System in Kenya” states that “between 1964 to 1985, the 7-4-2-3-system was adopted.” Basically, this system is interpreted as seven years of primary education, four years of lower secondary education, two years of upper secondary education, four years of lower secondary education, and three years of university education. This system is slightly different from the educational system common in the United States. Like many school systems, however, there would be a common national curriculum. Nonetheless, this system was reformed in the 1980s.

The Presidential Working Party on the Second University was established in 1981 to study the possibility of creating a second university in the country and reforming the educational system. In 1985, the committee changed the 7-4-2-3 system to an 8-4-4 system, namely, eight years of primary education, four years of secondary education and four years of university education. This system is reminiscent of the educational system in the United States.

“The Education System in Kenya” says that the 8-4-4 system placed most of its emphasis on vocational subjects and hoped that this new system would equip dropouts at any level with skills necessary for self-employment or employment in the non-formal sector. Thus, this system would promote self-sufficiency in their students because of the functional education they were receiving. Unfortunately, education in Kenya came at a price.

Nevertheless, this changed in January 2003 when the Government of Kenya introduced free primary education, resulting in approximately a 70% increase in primary school enrollment. This was a great stride toward opening education to everyone in the community, but students still had to pay for secondary and tertiary education, neither of which experienced a profound increase in enrollment.

Once students complete their first eight years of school, they are awarded the Kenya Certificate of Primary Examination (K.C.P.E.) and the examination results determine where they will be placed in secondary school. After students complete their requirements for secondary education, they are awarded the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (K.C.S.E.). In order to receive this certificate, students are tested in eight subjects. The school system bases students’ grade point average on their performance in these eight subjects.

According to “The Education System in Kenya,” the type of higher education students received depends on their overall average in relevant subjects. For example, students who earn a B+ average qualify for enrollment in public universities. Thus, if students earn a C+ average, they qualify for university; however, because competition is so great, those with B averages have priority. Other educational options include private universities, middle colleges or training institutions.

Overall, the educational system sounds comparable to the United States in a number of ways. However, because of having to pay for secondary education, this still leaves many individuals at a disadvantage in the country.

Source:
The Education System in Kenya: A comparison between Kenya’s and Trinidad & Tobago’s education systems by Sherline O. Chase
http://www.africaspeaks.com/kenya/27092006.html