Education in Kenya has been based on an 8-4-4 system since the late 1980s, with eight years of primary education followed by four years of secondary school and four years of college or university. Image File history File links Flag_of_Kenya. ... The 1980s refers to the years of 1980 to 1989. ...

Out of all children in Kenya about 85 percent of children attend primary school, 24 percent of children attend secondary school, and 2 percent attend higher institutions.

Primary education

There are five categories of primary school: Day Primaries, which make up the majority of schools; Boarding schools, divided into low, medium and high cost; and Arid Zone primary schools.

Primary education in government schools became free and compulsory in January, 2003. A large elementary school in Magome, Japan. ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The harambee system plays a significant role in the provision of Kenya's Primary education system. (In Swahili, harambee literally means pulling together.") The harambee system accounts for approximately 75 percent of schools in Kenya. Kenya Certificate of Primary Education are undertaken at the end of primary education. Harambee is Kenyan tradition of community self-help events, eg. ... KCPE is an abbreviation for Kenya Certificate of Primary Education, a certificate awarded to students after completing the approved eight-year course in primary education in Kenya. ...

Secondary education

Students in Kenya's major secondary schools (high schools) take their four years to prepare for college. Most students start to shape their future in persuing subjects that will take them to their careers. Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education are undertaken at the end of secondary education. KCSE stands for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education, which is taken at the completion of Secondary Education. ...

Middle level colleges

These are two or three year colleges that offer certificate,Diploma and Higher National Diploma qualifications.. These colleges offer Technical hands-on skills in various fields such as Engineering, Medical Sciences, education, computer Science etc. They include Teacher Training colleges (TTCs), Kenya [Medical Training colleges(KMTC]), Kenya Polytechnic, Mombasa Polytechnic, Eldoret polytechnic, Kenya institute of mass communication and many others. All this institutions are set up by various acts of parliament.

Public Universities

The leading university is the University of Nairobi. Other state universities include Kenyatta University, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Egerton University, Moi University, Maseno University and Western University College. This page is a candidate for speedy deletion, because: no content If you disagree with its speedy deletion, please explain why on its talk page or at Wikipedia:Speedy deletions. ... Kenyatta University in Kenya is the second largest university in the country (after University of Nairobi. ... Egerton University is a public university whose main campus is located in Njoro, near the city of Nakuru, Kenya. ... Moi University is a university in Eldoret, western Kenya. ... Maseno University is a university in Kenya. ...

Private Universities

There are also some 17 private universities.

• Africa Nazarene University
• Daystar University
• Catholic University of Eastern Africa
• Kabarak University
• Kenya Methodist University
• Kiriri Women University of Science and Technology
• Scott Theological College
• St Paul’s United Theological College
• Strathmore University
• University of Eastern Africa Baraton
• United States International University – Kenya
• The Aga Khan University
• The East Africa School of Theology
• The Kenya Highlands Bible College
• The Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School of Theology
• The Nairobi International School of Theology
• The Pan Africa Christian College

Background Information

In 1963 the Kenyan government promised free primary education to its people. This promise did not take effect until 2003. The reason the government did not make primary education free earlier is due to the fact that the economy is low and the number of people in a household is increasing. Citizens are expected to contribute to the education fund by paying fees, taxes, and labor services. After contributing, most parents did not have the money to pay for their children’s education. Those children whose family could not afford to put them through school were then locked out of the school.

Teachers are not paid properly.^{[citation needed]} Many teachers go on strike every year, sometimes more than once. The teachers were also responsible for collecting the money from the children. If the teacher did not collect money from every student in the class the teachers’ paycheck was held until all fees were paid. Many children were forced to drop out of school simply because they could not afford it. Some teachers sent children home during the last two weeks of school, which is when the final exams are, so that child’s parents would pay the user fees.

Now that education is free, schools have become overcrowded and there are not enough teachers to fulfill all of the positions needed. Also, children are not getting the right amount of attention needed from their teachers due to the overcrowding of classrooms.Some parents that can afford to pay tuition send their children to other schools so that they can receive a better education.

Some believe that a solution for the overcrowding in schools is to create more vocational training programs. These vocational training schools would help school drop outs have another opportunity to work.

Kenya introduced the current 8-4-4 system in 1985. This means that grades one through eight are in primary, grades nine through twelve are in secondary, and then graduates spend four years in a university. The 8-4-4 system was created to help those students who are not planning on furthering their education after secondary school. It has helped reduce the drop out rates and help those that leave primary school find employment.

Kenya’s growth for more knowledge has well over exceeded everyone’s expectations. After the first university was established in 1970, five others have been created. There is such a growth for more education that private universities have also been built. Representation of a university class, 1350s. ...

The facilities in some public universities are so small that when incoming freshman arrive most of the upper classmen have to be sent home for awhile to make room. Universities, like primary schools, are lacking the funds that are needed. There are not nearly enough computers, and labs are small and unequipped. Some students will pay a little more to go to private universities because they do not want involved with the competition for admission. Also, private universities have better facilities and computer labs. Funding or financing is to provide capital (funds), which means money for a project, a person, a business or any other private or public institution. ...

The UK Government is giving Kenya seven billion shillings (ninety-seven million US) to help support the free education system. The extra money will be used to improve the health programs in all schools. Also, it will be used in purchasing books and learning materials for all of the schools. The money will also go towards expanding secondary education and universities. Reconstruction will occur in classrooms and improvements in water and sanitation facilities.

Although Kenya has its own universities, some parents choose to send their children to different countries. Many believe that the United Kingdom has the best universities, and that it would be a great opportunity for their children to attend a university there. Kenya universities are also more difficult to get accepted to. There is such a high demand for higher education and not nearly enough room in the universities.

The Kenyan government is slowly, but surely working to make education in Kenya better. The schools are finally free to attend. The overcrowding of schools is an issue that now needs to be dealt with. The funding from the UK will help reconstruct some of the schools and hopefully make them a better learning environment.

See also

• Kenya National Examination Council
• List of schools in Kenya
• List of universities and colleges in Kenya

Kenya National Examination Council is the national body responsible for overseeing national examination in Kenya. ... // Lieye Primary school, Kombewa Division, Kisumu Aga Khan Junior Academy, Nairobi Aga Khan Primary School, Kisumu City Primary School, Ngara, Nairobi Highridge Primary School, Parklands, Nairobi Jamhuri Primary School, Government school, Nairobi Kiabonyoru primary school, Nyamira MM Shah Primary School, Mombasa Ngong forest primary school Olympic Primary School, government primary... An incomplete list of universities and colleges in Kenya National universities Kenyatta University - Kahawa, Nairobi Moi University - Eldoret University of Nairobi - CBD, Nairobi Egerton University - Njoro, Nakuru Maseno University - Maseno, Kisumu Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture & Technology - Juja, Thika Western University College of Science & Technology - Kakamega Others Daystar University - Hurlingham...

External links

• http://www.kenyahighcommission.com/Education/educationhome.htm
• UNESCO Nairobi Office - Fact Book on Education For All, Kenya 2006
• UNESCO Nairobi Office - Education Sector
• Education Links in Kenya
• https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ke.html
• Commission of Higher Education - Kenya
• E-Government, Education
• Kenyan Colleges and Universities
• Kenya National Adult Literacy Survey (May to August 2006)
• UNESCO ASSESSMENT OF FREE PRIMARY EDUCATION