Education is perceived as one of the principal motivating factors

behind national economic development and it is one of the most

effective ways in which individuals can ever hope to achieve better
opportunities and a higher standard of living in Kenya (Students for
Development blog). I will be researching and discussing the following
topics about Kenyas education system: the background on education
in Kenya, how education is evolving in Kenya, and what learning
obstacles students face within the classroom. Based on Kenyas
population in 2012, over one million children are being denied the
chance to go to school (Education for all Global Monitoring Report).
Although this is half the number it was in 1999 (Education for all Global
Monitoring Report). The quality of the primary education in Kenya does
not ensure that all children learn the necessary basics.

Kenyas current education system is based upon the principle of

8-4-4 (Chalkboard Kenya). This system was instituted in 1985 and
consists of eight years in primary school, four years in secondary
school, and four years in a university (FSD). Kenya put into effect
universal primary education allowing all children to go to school for
eight years free of charge (FSD). Although there are a few necessities
that require money, uniforms and books which prohibit many children
from attending school. For the many families that are able to send
their children to primary school miss out on their children working and

helping to provide for the family. Attending secondary education is

difficult. Many families cannot afford the cost of such a prestigious
level of education (FSD). Like many countries around the world
including the United States, the government lacks funding for
education. The primary education in Kenya consists of ages six to
fourteen. The goal of primary education is to ready children in areas
such as social, political, and economic well being of the country
(Chalkboard Kenya). Each year of primary school covers one standard.
At the end of standard eight, children are tested five areas to
determine their placement in secondary education if they choose to go
on: Kiswahili, English, Science and Agriculture, Mathematics and Social
Studies (Chalkboard Kenya). Secondary education lasts four years,
generally from age fourteen to eighteen. Late acceptance is common
because many cannot afford secondary education after they finish
primary (Chalkboard Kenya). Since primary education became free of
charge, the enrollment of students in secondary education has
drastically changed. In 1963 (the start of independence) there were
151 secondary schools and the total number of students enrolled was
30,120. Today there are about 3000 secondary schools and the
enrolment is about 620,000 students (Chalkboard Kenya).

Since many children have little to no education in Kenya, many

find themselves mixed with behaviors such as drug abuse, early

pregnancy, and crime (FSD). The population of semi-illiterate and

illiterate women increases every year. For example, in 2003 it was at
24% and within five years, in 2008 the percentage had risen to 39%
(Education for all Global Monitoring Report). As of 2010, Kenya spent
6.7% of its GNP on education (Education for all Global Monitoring
Report). This is a 1.3% increase from 5.4% in 1999. This strong
spending helped increase the primary net enrolment ratio from 62% in
1999 to 83% in 2009(Education for all Global Monitoring Report).
Education is vital to ensure a child is reaching their full potential as
well as sustaining the countries social and economic development.
Missionaries and colonial administration established Western education
in the early 20th century focusing on areas with ideal climatic
conditions and agricultural potential (PRB). In 1963 the population of
girls receiving an education was very slim. Now as of 2009 nearly just
as many boys and girls are receiving an education (PRB). A report links
gender differences in school participation in Kenya to traditional and
cultural barriers that disadvantage girls.

For Kenya to be internationally competitive and economically

viable, the Republic of Kenya requires an education system that will
produce citizens who are able to engage in lifelong learning, learn new
skills quickly, perform more non routine tasks, capable of more
complex problem-solving, take more decisions, understand more about

what they are working on, require less supervision, assume more
responsibility, have more vital tools, have better reading culture,
quantitative analysis, reasoning and expository skills (Cheserek and
Mugalavai). The education in Kenya has yet to reach its full potential.
Kenyas greatest need is an economic system that will meet the
economic needs of the country (Students for Development blog). In
2001 a study showed that there are very few interactions between
students and teachers in the public schools. Many of the questions
answered by students were closed and involved memorizing the
answer rather than analyzing and evaluating others (Ackers and
Hardman, 2001). Many schools in Kenya also lack proper teaching
aids; many contain only a blackboard and textbooks. Congested
environments are due to lack of teachers and classrooms. Sometimes
teachers will have up to 80 kids in one classroom (Students for
Development blog). Overcrowded classrooms affect the learning
ability of many students. This also makes it nearly impossible for
teachers to meet the needs of every single student. Very few schools
have a library due to lack of government funding (Students for
Development blog). This means literacy programs are very poor.

Although Kenya may seem like their education system is very

poor, yet expanding, it still tops many countries and cities that have no
form of education. As a future teacher, this assignment has taught me

a great deal on education in other countries and how blessed we are to

have one of the best education systems in the world. I also found it
very interesting on the few correlations between the two systems such
as lack of government funding affecting many resources and
development, and the similarity of the 8-4-4 systems we have also.
Overall, Kenya is on a good track with the help of governments funds
they can build and education system that will support their economy
that in turn will help the country.

Chalkboard Kenya. (n.d.). Retrieved March 24, 2015, from

http://www.chalkboardkenya.org/chalkboard-kenya-programme/thekenyan-programme/
Cheserek, G., & Mugalavai, V. (2012). Challenges and Reforms Facing
Kenyan Education System in the 21st Century: Integrating the
Principles of Vision 2030 and Constitution 2010. Journal Of Emerging
Trends In Educational Research & Policy Studies, 3(4), 471-478.
Education for all Global Monitoring Report. (n.d.). Retrieved March 24,
2015, from
http://www.unesco.org/new/fileadmin/MULTIMEDIA/HQ/ED/pdf/EDUCATI
ON_IN_KENYA_A_FACT_SHEET.pdf

Foundation for Sustainable Development. (n.d.). Retrieved March 24,

2015, from
http://www.fsdinternational.org/devsubject/youthandeducation/kenya
Some Kenyan Children Are Not in School Despite Free Primary
Education. (n.d.). Retrieved March 24, 2015, from
http://www.prb.org/Publications/Articles/2013/kenya-schooleducation.aspx
Students for Development blog. (n.d.). Retrieved March 24, 2015, from
http://www.sfdblog.ca/an-overview-of-the-kenyan-education-systemissues-and-obstacles-to-learning/