I have always felt that it is too stiff, backward and geared towards creating academic robots as opposed to creative thinkers who can thrive in this fast-paced world.
Under 8-4-4 system, students were just coached on how to pass exams and that’s it. It is one-sided and produces learners who are ill-equipped to face the challenges of the job market. It is amazing how people like us ‘thrived’ through it all.
But I must admit I struggled to fit into the job market for a while because of some of the inefficiencies and inadequacies the system instilled in me. I always feel I would have done better had I gone through a richer education system, like the British curriculum, perhaps. I digress.
So when I heard that the Ministry of Education was planning to scrap it off for the more robust 2-6-6-3 education system, I was excited.
I know that the new system is more skills-oriented and students will be tested using continuous evaluation tests as opposed to the stress inducing one-off examinations Kenya Certificate of Primary Education and Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examinations.
One of the core reasons why 8-4-4 has never impressed many parents and educationalists is the fact that it is too exam-oriented.
But the new curriculum is refreshingly different. First, the examinations will be meant to test the students’ skills, abilities and competencies as opposed to their ‘cramming’ abilities.
I was happy to learn that my two children, Tasha and Troy will benefit from this new system because they fall under the bracket of the new learning model learners targeted to be roped in.
According to the proposed roll out plan, the system will only involve pupils below Standard Six. My daughter is going to Class Four while Troy is joining baby class next year.
I am sure, after going through the system, my children will grow up to be leaders and innovators. It is also impressive that the system will focus on the student’s talents and interests and work on how to sharpen them and prepare them for the ever competitive job market.
Like many parents, I do not know the nitty-gritty of how the system will be rolled out. But I do know that the Ministry of Education plans to roll it out on a pilot basis in January. The last batch of students to sit KCPE examinations will be in 2019, while KCSE will done in 2022.
There is so much information on this new system that many parents do not know. Parents I have interacted with are curious about what it means for their children now that it is here with us. They want to know what it means for them and their children and what is expected of them. Going forward, I think there is need for the media and the Government to create awareness on the new model in 2018, through adverts, edutorials and all other possible means.
The writer is a young married mother of two. She shares her experience of juggling between career, family and social life.
