Kenya's education system consists of early childhood education,
primary, secondary and college.The country's literacy level stands at 85% of
the whole population. Early childhood education takes at least three years,
primary eight years, secondary four and university four or six years depending
on the course. Preschool, which targets children from age three to five, is an
integral component of the education system and is a key requirement for
admission to Standard One (First Grade). At the end of primary education,
pupils sit the Kenya
Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE), which determines those
who proceed to secondary school or vocational training. Primary school age is
6/7-13/14 years. For those who proceed to secondary level, there is a national
examination at the end of Form Four – the Kenya Certificate
of Secondary Education (KCSE), which determines those
proceeding to the universities, other professional training or employment. The
Joint Admission Board (JAB) is responsible for selecting students joining the
public universities. Other than the public schools, there are many private
schools in the country, mainly in urban areas. Similarly, there are a number
of international schools catering
for various overseas educational systems.
Historical background
Independent Kenya's first
system of education was introduced by British
colonists. After Kenya's independence on 12 December 1963, an authority
named the Ominde Commission was formed to introduce changes that would reflect
the nation's sovereignty. The commission focused on identity and unity, which were critical issues at the time. Changes in the
subject content of history and geography were made to reflect national
cohesion. Between 1964 and 1985, the 7–4–2–3 system was adopted – seven
years of primary, four years of lower secondary, two years of upper secondary,
and three years of university. All schools had a common curriculum.
In 1981, the Presidential
Working Party on the Second University was commissioned to look at both the
possibilities of setting up a second university in Kenya as well as the
reforming of the entire education system. The committee recommended that the
7–4–2–3 system be changed to an 8–4–4 system (eight years in primary, four
years in secondary, and four years in university education). The table under
Present-day education in Kenya below shows the structure of the 8–4–4 system.
Although the 7–4–2–3 system theoretically ended with the introduction of the
new 8–4–4 system in 1985, the last batch of students from the former system
graduated from Kenyan Universities in 1992.
The current 8–4–4 system
was launched in January 1985. It put more emphasis on vocational subjects on
the assumption that the new structure would enable school dropouts at all
levels either to be self-employed or to secure employment in the informal sector.
In January 2003, the
Government of Kenya announced the introduction of free primary education. As a
result, primary school enrollment increased by about 70%. Secondary and
tertiary education enrollment has not increased proportionally because payment
is still required for attendance.
In class eight of primary
school the Kenya Certificate of Primary Examination (K.C.P.E.) is taken. The
result of this examination is needed for placement at secondary school. In form
four of secondary schools the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Examination
(K.C.S.E.) is taken. Students sit examinations in eight subjects of their choosing.
However, English, KiSwahili (Languages) and Mathematics are compulsory subjects.
Private schooling also
exists in Kenya.
In 2007 the government
issued a statement declaring that from 2008, secondary education would be
heavily subsidized, with the government footing all tuition fees.
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