Education System In Kenya (From 7-4-2-3 to 8-4-4 to 2-6-6-3)
Kenya Vision 2030: The overall goal is to provide a globally competitive quality education, training and research for development to reduce illiteracy, improve the transition rate from primary to secondary schools, and raise the quality and relevance of education.
KCSE PAST PAPERS QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS (FORM FOUR PAST PAPERS QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS)
Primary and secondary education
In 1985 the 7-4-2-3 system was replaced with the current 8-4-4 educational system, based on the American educational system. This system consists of 8 years of primary school, 4 years of secondary school and 4 years of higher education. The curriculum focuses on mathematics, English and various vocational subjects. That includes a broad range of subjects aimed both at pupils who will complete only their primary education and then enter the labour market, and those pupils who plan to continue on to higher education. Children also attend 1 or 2 years of pre-primary school before starting primary school. This is usually between the ages of 3 and 6.The New Education Curriculum (2-6-6-3 system)
The Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development has developed a new curriculum to replace the 8-4-4 system that has been in existence since 1985. The 8-4-4- system has been widely criticized for being heavily loaded in terms of content and too exam oriented, putting undue pressure on students. The new system is known as the 2-6-6-3 system and the pilot, involving 470 primary and pre-primary schools countrywide.The system places more emphasis on learners’ mental ability to process issues and proposes a practical framework that nurtures competencies of learners based on their passions and talents. It places emphasis on Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs) over one-off examinations.The new structure has three levels: Early years, Middle school and Senior school education. Early years education include Pre-primary and Lower primary.
- Pre-primary education is for 2 years made up of Pre-primary 1 and Pre-primary 2 and for children aged between 4 and 5 years old to be taught language activities, mathematical activities, environmental activities, psychomotor & creative activities and religious education activities whereas
- Lower primary will be for 3 years and subjects to be taught will include all pre-primary activities, language activities, literacy and hygiene and nutrition.
- Middle school will run for 6 years made up of upper primary and lower secondary whereas
- Senior school (Tertiary and University) will run for 3 years.
Graduates of primary school will join lower secondary schools for three years between grades seven and nine. Here, learners are set to begin to specialize based on their interests and competencies with emphasis on career guidance. Learners will also be continually assessed in a process that will account for 70 percent of the final grade. The remaining 30 percent will be determined through a national test set by the Kenya National Examinations Council. Grade nine graduates will then proceed to senior school where 60 percent of learners will be exposed to science, technical, engineering and mathematics fields. Others will train in languages and humanities while the rest will focus on arts and sports science. Tertiary and University education will last for 3 years.
Assessment systems >> Secondary education – Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE)
| Letter grade | Numerical grade | Description |
| A | 12 | Distinction |
| A- | 11 | Very Good |
| B+ | 10 | Credit |
| B | 9 | Good |
| B- | 8 | |
| C+ | 7 | Average |
| C | 6 | |
| C- | 5 | |
| D+ | 4 | Fair |
| D | 3 | |
| D+ | 2 | |
| E | 1 | Poor |
Assessment systems >> Higher education – Bachelor’s degrees
| Numerical grade | Letter grade | Description | Classification |
| 70-100 | A | Excellent | First Class Honours |
| 60-69 | B | Good | Second ClassHonours (Upper Division) |
| 50-59 | C | Satisfactory | Second Class Honours (LowerDivision) |
| 40-49 | D | Pass | Pass |
| 0-39 | E | Fail | Fail |
EDUCATION SYSTEM IN OTHER COUNTRIES
Education System In Tanzania
Education System In Uganda
Education System In Botswana
Education System In Malawi
Education System In Namibia
The System Of Education In USA
OTHER IMPORTANT LINKS
The Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC)Higher Education Loans Board (HELB