Ministry opposes plans to scrap 8-4-4 system

By Michael Chepkwony

The Ministry of Higher Education is against plans to scrap out 8-4-4 system of education, Cabinet minister Margaret Kamar has said.

The minister argued that the Government should not change the system because this would affect development in the country.

Prof Kamar said the cost of implementing a new education system would be too expensive for the country. The minister said it would be unwise for the Government to spend Sh310 billion to implement a system that was of "no significant value" to the country while there were many uncompleted projects that need funds.

She argued: "A Standard Six certificate has little value. A bearer of a document from such a level has nowhere to go if he cannot afford to continue with education."

Kamar, who was speaking in Kapsabet after the opening of Nandi County Investment workshop said that the 8-4-4 system had several avenues for learners at every level unlike the proposed system.

"After Standard Eight, one can join polytechnics to boost talent careers like carpentry, tailoring and masonry among others unlike in the new system," Kamar said.

She said if changes were necessary, then there was a need for 8-4-4 system to be revised and harmonised to meet the necessary standards. Kamar revealed that her ministry had consulted Education minister Mutula Kilonzo and advised him to consider the negative implications of the implementation of the new system.

"We are hopeful that the minister would understand that our opposition as the ministry of higher learning is well informed and is not political," she said.

Not consulted

At the same time, Kenya National Union of Teachers executive secretary Nandi East branch Boniface Tenai claimed that the new system was a ploy by some leaders to squander taxpayers’ money.

Tenai, who was speaking on Saturday at Kapsabet Boys’ High School, said the money should instead be used to hire more teachers and provide teaching facilities. He questioned why teachers were not consulted over the proposed system and argued that the whole plan was political.

"How can teachers who know best be locked out of the debate and yet we have adequate contributions to make," he asked.