The Kenyan education system is known as 8-4-4. 8 years of primary education, 4 years of secondary education, and 4 years of tertiary education. The primary education syllabus educates the students in the following subjects: English, Kiswahili, Mother Tongue, Physical Education Creative Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Christian Religious Education, Islamic Religious Education and Hindu Religious Education.
National Goals of Education
Education in Kenya should:
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Foster nationalism, patriotism and promote national unity
Kenya’s people belong to different ethnic groups, races and religions, but these difference need not divide them. They must be able to live and interact as Kenyans. It is a paramount duty of education to help the youth acquire this sense of nationhood, by removing conflicts and by promoting positive attitudes of mutual respect, which enable them to live together in harmony, and foster patriotism in order to make a positive contribution to the life of the Nation.
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Promote the social economic, technological and industrial needs for national development
Education should prepare the youth of the country to play an effective and productive role in the life of the nation.
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Social Needs
Education in Kenya must prepare children for the changes in attitudes and relationships, which are necessary for the smooth process of a rapidly developing modern economy. There is bound to be a silent social revolution following in the wake of rapid modernization. Education should assist our youth to adapt to this change.
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Economic Needs
Education in Kenya should produce citizens with skills, knowledge, expertise and personal qualities that are required to support a growing economy. Kenya is building up a modern and independent economy, which is in need of adequate domestic manpower.
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Technological and Industrial Needs
Education in Kenya should provide the learners with the necessary skills and attitudes for Industrial development. Kenya recognizes the rapid industrial and technological changes taking place, especially in the developed world.
We can only be part of this development if our education system deliberately focused on knowledge, skills and attitudes that will prepare the youth for these changing global trends.
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Promote individual development and self-fulfillment
Education should provide opportunities for the fullest development of individual talents and personality. It should help children to develop their potential, interests and abilities. A vital aspect of individual development is character building.
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Promote sound moral and religious values
Education should provide for the development of knowledge, skills and attitudes that will enhance acquisition of sound moral values and help children to grow up into self-disciplined, self reliant and integrated citizens.
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Promote social equality and responsibility
Education should promote social equality and foster a sense of social responsibility within an education system, which provides equal education opportunities for all. It should give all children varied and challenging opportunities for collective activities and corporate social service, irrespective of gender, ability or geographical environment.
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Promote respect for and development of Kenya’s rich and varied cultures
Education should instill in the youth of Kenya an understanding of past and present cultures and their valid place in contemporary society. The children should be able to blend the best of traditional values with the changed requirements that, must follow rapid development in order to build a stable and modern society.
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Promote International consciousness and foster positive attitude towards other nations
Kenya is part of the international community. It is part of the complicated and interdependent network of peoples and nations. Education should, therefore, lead the youth of the country to accept membership in this international community with all the obligations and responsibilities, rights and benefits that this membership entails.
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Promote positive attitude towards good health and environmental protection
Education should inculcate in the youth the value for good health in order to avoid indulging in activities that will lead to physical or mental ill health. It should foster positive attitudes towards environmental development and conservation. It should lead the youth to appreciate the need for a healthy environment.
Download [wpfilebase tag=fileurl path=’academics/Volume-One.pdf’ linktext=’Volume One’ /] and [wpfilebase tag=fileurl path=’academics/Volume-Two.pdf’ linktext=’Volume Two’ /] of the entire KCPE (Kenya Certificate of Primary Education) Syllabus