Raila urges patience on new education system

Written By:Diana Okemwa/Rose Welimo,    Posted: Sun, Feb 05, 2012

Raila said valid reasons must be given when shifting from one system to another Prime Minister, Raila Odinga is calling on Kenyans not to rush to a new education system proposed until adequate consultations have been reached. The system which will help bring out social, political and economic transformation in the country need not to be discussed by few individuals but all Kenyans should be involved in the implementation process. Raila said valid reasons must be given when shifting from one system to another. On Friday, an education taskforce released a report that will see the 8-4-4 system scrapped if implemented. The proposed 2-6-3-3-3 system will see pupils spend 2 years in pre-primary, 6 years in primary, 3 in junior secondary, 3 in senior secondary and 3 at the university level.  The system, hopes to offer holistic education that appreciates talents and development of skills. However,  according to a report by the 35-member taskforce launched in February last year,  Kenyans would have to foot a bill of Sh360 billion in the 2012/2013 financial year for infrastructure, textbooks and the hiring of some 52,365 teachers if the proposed system is implemented. The drafters of the report  say although they appreciated that it is costly to roll out the programme, it is necessary as it will set the stage for Kenya to rediscover its potential and regain the momentum initiated in the early 60's to achieve the middle level economy status. The report says, main drivers of the costs, will be the funding the Early Childhood Development Education, which for the first time will be mainstreamed into the basic education structure. Information Communication Technology infrastructure -  ICT will be introduced and integrated in the system and be taught right from kindergarten all through. The huge budget will also go teachers' development and remuneration with a proposal that only those with a strong passion for teaching should be hired. According to the report, implementation of the new system should commence this year with a thorough review of the education curriculum proposed to end in December.