The 8-4-4 system is the education system that has been in place in Kenya since 1985. It consists of eight years of primary education, four years of secondary education, and four years of university or college education. The system was introduced by former president Daniel Arap Moi as a way of improving the quality and relevance of education in the country. However, over the years, the system has faced a lot of criticism and challenges from various stakeholders, including students, parents, teachers, employers, and policymakers. In this blog post, I will discuss some of the pros and cons of the 8-4-4 system from a Kenyan perspective.
Pros of the 8-4-4 system
One of the advantages of the 8-4-4 system is that it provides a broad curriculum that covers various subjects and disciplines. The system aims to equip learners with knowledge, skills, and values that are relevant to their personal and national development. The system also exposes learners to practical and vocational subjects such as agriculture, home science, business studies, and computer studies, which are meant to prepare them for self-reliance and entrepreneurship.
Another benefit of the 8-4-4 system is that it offers opportunities for learners to pursue their talents and interests through co-curricular activities such as sports, music, drama, and clubs. These activities help to nurture the physical, social, and emotional well-being of learners, as well as to develop their leadership and teamwork skills. The system also encourages learners to participate in community service and environmental conservation projects, which foster a sense of responsibility and citizenship.
A third advantage of the 8-4-4 system is that it has produced many graduates who have excelled in various fields and sectors both locally and internationally. Some of the notable alumni of the 8-4-4 system include Nobel laureate Wangari Maathai, former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan, Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge, and renowned author Ngugi wa Thiong’o, among others. These graduates have demonstrated that the 8-4-4 system can produce quality and competitive human capital that can contribute to the social and economic development of the country and the world.
Cons of the 8-4-4 system
One of the drawbacks of the 8-4-4 system is that it is too rigid and exam-oriented. The system puts a lot of pressure on learners to perform well in standardized national examinations at the end of each level of education. These examinations determine whether learners can proceed to the next level or not, as well as their chances of getting scholarships or admission to their preferred institutions or courses. The system also does not allow for flexibility or customization of the curriculum to suit the needs and abilities of different learners. As a result, many learners suffer from stress, anxiety, burnout, and low self-esteem due to high expectations and competition.
Another disadvantage of the 8-4-4 system is that it is too costly and inaccessible for many Kenyans. The system requires learners to pay for tuition fees, textbooks, uniforms, transport, boarding facilities, and other expenses that are beyond the reach of many low-income families. The system also does not provide adequate infrastructure and resources such as classrooms, teachers, libraries, laboratories, and computers to cater to the large number of enrolments. Moreover, the system does not address the issues of inequality and marginalization that affect many learners from rural areas, slums, nomadic communities, and special needs groups.
A third drawback of the 8-4-4 system is that it does not adequately prepare learners for the changing demands and challenges of the 21st century. The system focuses more on rote learning and memorization than on critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The system also does not incorporate emerging issues such as globalization, digital literacy, climate change, human rights, and gender equality into its curriculum. Furthermore, the system does not align well with the needs and expectations of employers and industries that require graduates who are innovative, adaptable, and skilled in communication, collaboration, and creativity.
Conclusion
The 8-4-4 system has been in operation for almost four decades now. It has had its share of successes and failures in delivering quality education to Kenyans. However, given the current realities and trends in education globally, there is a need for a review and reform of the system to make it more responsive and relevant to the needs of learners, society, and the economy. Some of the possible reforms include introducing a competency-based curriculum that emphasizes skills rather than content; reducing the number of subjects and examinations; increasing access and affordability; improving infrastructure and resources; enhancing teacher training and motivation; promoting learner
