A Look At The Kenya’s Education Sector: Time To Change?

By Martha Etale

Education is termed as an enlightening experience.

In Kenya, the education system changed after years of trying to transform the 8-4-4 system which entailed 8 years of primary school, 4 years of secondary school, and 4 years in university or college. Most of the students who have gone through the system feel they wasted their time and money in school.

Going to school is supposed to make a student grow in building up knowledge of what they want to be in the future, but in Kenya, most dreams are shattered because what is taught in school is none of the majority’s interest.

It makes no sense for a child whose dream is to be a doctor to be forced to take subjects such as Agriculture and Religious Studies. It amounts to wastage of time in learning such subjects and also poor performances.

Poor performances on those units are brought in by a lack of concentration from the students who find it hard to concentrate on topics that they are not interested in.

Many education systems pay little attention to what teachers know, what they do in the classroom, and in some cases whether they even show up. The majority get good grades while in school but when it comes to the industry they have to start from square one, which shows time wastage in school and also school fees.  

I think it’s high time for the government to change the syllabus also and let students be taught what they are willing to learn so as to produce qualified workers in the country with experience and skills. Practicals and exposure also should be encouraged more than theories in the fields required.

No change can happen without data, the government needs to know what their education systems are missing and take the right steps to improve.