A lecturer at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) Dr Pamela Odhiambo has backed the proposed education system in the country. Dr Odhiambo, who has specialized in Strategic Management, said the curriculum will be learner and skills based.
She is, however, concerned about the implementation of the noble idea, saying it is good but the concept and burden of content still remains key issues. “I welcome the concept 100 per cent but will the government implement it?” she posed. “Learners will get more chance to know who they are in terms of skills.”
According to Mrs Odhiambo, the government has been good at coming up with excellent ideas but translating them into action has remained the weak point. The university don cautioned Kenyans not to expect immediate benefits from the proposed 2-6-6-3 system. “Will have to be patient and cautious and implement it to produce the objective. It is going to be slow but we need not to hurry to effect it,” she said
The Government is planning to scrap the 8-4-4 system that has been in place since 1985. Education stakeholders have argued that the proposed curriculum will stick largely on skills rather than theory and examinations. “Our current system has rewarded academics over skilled personnel so it is time to embrace skills that is why I am joining the voices that are calling for the change of system in the country,” said Dr Odhiambo.
She says teachers will encounter some hardships to re-invent their teaching methods. Dr Odhiambo is of the view that both primary and secondary teachers must undergo some training to familiarize themselves with the new programme.
Teachers have already objected to the system saying it will be costly to put into practice as Sh340 billion will be required per year to implement it. Many hurdles including expansion of infrastructures in school awaits the proposed new education system which is expected to be approved at a national conference slated for July.
In the proposed system of education, the first three stages of the system comprise five years of early childhood and lower primary education; six years for middle primary and lower secondary; and three years for upper secondary.
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