Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Group 4
Group 4
Group 4
JASMINEKISIA ED/SCI/1206/22
USA and Kenyan education have some comparisons and here are the some of the comparisons;
1. Structure
• USA: the education system in USA is divided into elementary school (kindergarten to 5th
or 6th grade) middle school (6th or 7th to 8th or 9th grade, high school (9th or 10th to 12th
grade) and higher education (college or university).
• KENYA (8-4-4): consist of 8 years of primary education, 4 years of secondary education,
and 4 years of university education.
• KENYA (CBC): comprises 2 years pre of primary education, 6 years of primary
education, 3 years of junior primary education and 3 years of senior secondary
education.
2. CURRICULUM:
• USA: the curriculum varies by state and district but generally includes a wide
range of subjects with a focus on core subjects like math, science, language arts
and social studies.
• KENYA (8-4-4): had a curriculum focused on examinable subjects and was
criticized for being too theoretical and exam-oriented.
• KENYA (CBC): aims to develop competencies in learners through broad based
curriculum that includes learning areas, core competence and values.
3. ASSESSMENT
4. FOCUS
5. FLEXIBILITY.
• USA: The system allows for more flexibility in terms of course selection and
educational pathways.
• KENYA (8-4-4): Had a more rigid structure with limited flexibility for students to
choose subjects or career paths.
• KENYA (CBC): Introduces more flexibility through the choice of pathways and
selective subjects in senior secondary education.
• USA: Faces challenges related to funding, resource disparities between schools and
debates over standardized testing.
• KENYA (8-4-4): Faced criticisms for being too exam-oriented and not meeting the needs
of student’s ort the job market.
• KENYA (CBC): Has faced challenges related to implementation, including the need for
teacher training, resource allocation, and alignment.
Generally while the USAs education emphasizes on holistic development and critical thinking, Kenya’s 8-
4-4system was criticized for being too exam –orient .The CBC in Kenya aims to address some of these
criticisms by focusing on competencies and skills relevant to the needs of society and economy.
1. Structural Differences:
• KENYA: Kenya's 8-4-4 system consists of eight years of primary education, four years of
secondary education, and a minimum of four years of university education.
• USA: the US education system typically comprises twelve years of primary and
secondary education, followed by four years of undergraduate education in college or
university.
2. Curriculum Variance:
• KENYA: Kenya's curriculum is centrally structured and follows a national curriculum set
by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD).
• USA: the US education system is decentralized, with each state having its own
curriculum standards, although there are national frameworks like the Common Core
State Standards Initiative.
3. Assessment Methods:
• KENYA: Assessment in Kenya's 8-4-4 system heavily relies on end-of-term exams and
standardized tests like the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) and the Kenya
Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE).
• USA: In the USA, assessment methods include standardized tests like the SAT or ACT for
college admissions, state-specific standardized tests for primary and secondary
education, and continuous assessment through coursework and projects.
4. Outcome and Certification:
• KENYA: Upon completing the 8-4-4 system in Kenya, students receive the KCSE
certificate, which determines eligibility for higher education institutions.
• USA: students who complete high school receive a high school diploma, and for higher
education, they earn degrees such as Associate's degrees, Bachelor's degrees, Master's
degrees, and Doctoral degrees.
5. Access and Equity Challenges:
• KENYA: Kenya's 8-4-4 system faces challenges with access and equity, including
disparities in resources between urban and rural areas, and issues with access to quality
education for marginalized communities.
• USA: the US education system grapples with access and equity issues, including
disparities in funding between schools in affluent and low-income areas, and
achievement gaps based on socioeconomic status and race.
6. Vocational Education Integration: