Education System
When the 8:4:4 Education System was first introduced in Kenya it seemed to work wonders. Primary students were able to cook food, mend and repair their own clothing. They were able to knit sweaters and make dresses including petticoat. Home science was my favorite subject, I couldn’t wait to attend the next class and practice what my teacher had taught me. Truly this was an amazing country.
The 8:4:4, Education System that was loved
The initial intention of the 8:4:4, Education System was to equip the student with practical knowledge that endeared them with parents. They were taught and assessed on the basic practical fundamentals that enabled them to live in a family unit. ‘I was taught how to cook a cake and ever since, I love doing the same. I can cook for myself without strain. I was practically taught how to wash different types of fabrics and how to dry them.’
The Education System enabled those who never proceeded with their education to be self employed and reliant. Parents never had major problems with their children.
Constant changes in the 8:4:4, Education System perfects the art of memorizing to pass
The ideal situation for any Education System is to ensure that one learns to think and acquire knowledge that will be of beneficial use to him and others, now and in the future. The current Education System is stressful to the student since it only trains them to memorize subjects in order for them to pass and advance to the next level. It succeeds in putting pressure on the students.
Most students, who advance to Institutions of higher learning, find it very difficult to adjust to fit in the Education System of critical thinking. They are used to the system of memorizing and this increases the level of pressure. This means that pressure will continue mounting even at their work places. Could this be a possibility, why young people today find it difficult staying in one job for long?
Critical thinking is a very vital tool for any current and future engagements and endeavors. We can not have a qualified Medical doctor or Engineer who can not apply critical thinking in their work spaces. It would be disastrous if they’d apply only memory in areas that have conflicting or similar presentations and require diagnosis that involves critical thinking.
8:4:4, Education System has undergone several changes, sometimes removal of necessary or important subjects and heaping or overburdening students with subjects least useful in their future assignments.
Should we embrace an Education System that encourages talent development?
Most youngsters grow up to their mid twenties before they discover that they are talented in a particular field. It has been very challenging for Parents who push their children to acquire specific knowledge in order for them to be in certain preferential professions. These kids sometimes end up becoming rebellious and opt to choose another field of their interest even after completion of the initial course.
The 8-4-4 Education System has been with us since 1985, those who underwent through the system are now parents who are ill equipped to handle their children. Situations where a parent advocates for a particular area of specialization and a child another are very common resulting to un necessary conflicts.
Our Education System does not nature talents, talents that are viewed unfavorably are discouraged by parents, and the children have no place to turn to for redress if one finds himself in this kind of situation.
An Education System that would encourage students to identify particular areas of interest from early age would be important in child development. An Education System that includes and emphasizes on extra curricula activities is needful.
All concerned parties i.e. parents, the Education Ministry and other interested parties should urgently and seriously come together and draft an Education System that fulfills the dreams of Vision 2030, otherwise it will be an exercise in futility to have a vision and the ones expected to fulfill it do not know what to do. Most are frustrated from looking for the exclusive job opportunity and they are not equipped to start a business of their own. Seriously something should urgently be done on our Education System
An Education System, once good but with flaws now
When the 8:4:4 Education System was first introduced in Kenya it seemed to work wonders. Primary students were able to cook food, mend and repair their own clothing. They were able to knit sweaters and make dresses including petticoat. Home science was my favorite subject, I couldn’t wait to attend the next class and practice what my teacher had taught me.
The 8:4:4, Education System that was loved
The initial intention of the 8:4:4, Education System was to equip the student with practical knowledge that endeared them with parents. They were taught and assessed on the basic practical fundamentals that enabled them to live in a family unit. ‘I was taught how to cook a cake and ever since, I love doing the same. I can cook for myself without strain. I was practically taught how to wash different types of fabrics and how to dry them.’
The Education System enabled those who never proceeded with their education to be self employed and reliant. Parents never had major problems with their children.
Constant changes in the 8:4:4, Education System perfects the art of memorizing to pass
The ideal situation for any Education System is to ensure that one learns to think and acquire knowledge that will be of beneficial use to him and others, now and in the future. The current Education System is stressful to the student since it only trains them to memorize subjects in order for them to pass and advance to the next level. It succeeds in putting pressure on the students.
Most students, who advance to Institutions of higher learning, find it very difficult to adjust to fit in the Education System of critical thinking. They are used to the system of memorizing and this increases the level of pressure. This means that pressure will continue mounting even at their work places. Could this be a possibility, why young people today find it difficult staying in one job for long?
Critical thinking is a very vital tool for any current and future engagements and endeavors. We can not have a qualified Medical doctor or Engineer who can not apply critical thinking in their work spaces. It would be disastrous if they’d apply only memory in areas that have conflicting or similar presentations and require diagnosis that involves critical thinking.
8:4:4, Education System has undergone several changes, sometimes removal of necessary or important subjects and heaping or overburdening students with subjects least useful in their future assignments.
Should we embrace an Education System that encourages talent development?
Most youngsters grow up to their mid twenties before they discover that they are talented in a particular field. It has been very challenging for Parents who push their children to acquire specific knowledge in order for them to be in certain preferential professions. These kids sometimes end up becoming rebellious and opt to choose another field of their interest even after completion of the initial course.
The 8-4-4 Education System has been with us since 1985, those who underwent through the system are now parents who are ill equipped to handle their children. Situations where a parent advocates for a particular area of specialization and a child another are very common resulting to un necessary conflicts.
Our Education System does not nature talents, talents that are viewed unfavorably are discouraged by parents, and the children have no place to turn to for redress if one finds himself in this kind of situation.
An Education System that would encourage students to identify particular areas of interest from early age would be important in child development. An Education System that includes and emphasizes on extra curricula activities is needful.
All concerned parties i.e. parents, the Education Ministry and other interested parties should urgently and seriously come together and draft an Education System that fulfills the dreams of Vision 2030, otherwise it will be an exercise in futility to have a vision and the ones expected to fulfill it do not know what to do. Most are frustrated from looking for the exclusive job opportunity and they are not equipped to start a business of their own. Seriously something should urgently be done on our Education System
Integrated marketing communication can be defined a systematic approach to achieving the objectives of a marketing campaign through the use of a series of well coordinated promotional methods that reinforce and complement each other’s contribution to the promotional activity. Business Training in Kenya has more information. Integrated marketing recognizes the value communication in advertising and aims at providing clarity and consistency of whatever is being prompted. Engineering in Kenya has more information. Read the rest of this entry »
It’s an exciting place, a humor to behold and an adventure that captivates both the young and the old alike; where else could this be if it isn’t the Nairobi Museum located on museum hill in Nairobi it is part of the National Museum of Kenya? The eyes glitter as one literally tours the sights yearning for much more. Souls are captured across the divide with hearts and minds completely reinvented at this historical site.
A state corporation worthy of its status, behold a baby named the National Museum of Kenya was born by a motherly Act of Parliament. They say he grew up to become a multi-disciplinary institution.
“My origin and residency is in this great country but it is sad and a pity that I only visited the one of the Museum of Kenya as a coincidence rather than an outright knowledge centered decision. I will never regret the visit.
What roles does the National Museum of Kenya play?
The role of the National Museum of Kenya is to collect, preserve, study, document and present Kenya’s past and present cultural and natural heritage. This is not just done artificially; it is done with the aim of maintaining originality and subsequently presenting to the audience uniqueness and spectacular products that doesn’t whittle the intended purpose.
The National Museum of Kenya ensures the purposes of enhancing knowledge, appreciation, respect and sustainable utilization of these resources for the benefit of Kenya are achieved.
The National Museum of Kenya recognizes the ever expanding and growing needs of the society, and in so doing they strive to contribute in a unique national development.
The National Museum of Kenya has the responsibility of managing several established Regional Museums, Sites and Monuments of national and international importance. It also manages a rich and priceless collection of Kenya’s existing and natural heritage.
Mission and Vision of the National Museum of Kenya
The National Museum of Kenya has a vision to be a global leader in heritage, research and management. It has successfully managed to attract global researchers and visitors and eventually has achieved in demonstrating its managerial ability to preserve the heritage through various processes.
The National Museum of Kenya; Mission is to promote the conversation and sustainability of utilization of national heritage through generation, documentation and dissemination of research and collection management knowledge, information and innovations.
The National Museum of Kenya and its core functions
The National Museum of Kenya is a lead promoter of Heritage, its collection and documentation. It houses the most exciting, diversified and unique collections globally. They range from natural History, cultural history and Musicological.
The National Museum of Kenya undertakes research work based on cultural and natural history. This research is done on various fields like biomedical and bio-conservation in collaboration with other research institutions.
The National Museum of Kenya has time and again acted to synthesize all the information that is generated from research and collections. By dissemination of this information thy seek to present it to the public for the purpose of raising awareness and learning amongst the general population through exhibitions, multimedia channels and other educative programmes
The National Museum of Kenya is mandated with the responsibility of preserving and conserving all its tangible to intangible, moveable and immovable collections.
The Core Values of the National Museum of Kenya
The National Museum of Kenya like any other institutions has inscribed and instilled operational values that Endeavour to deliver services to all its clients and stakeholder. These include the following:
- Scientific excellence, ethics and flexibility.
- Partnerships for collaborative advantage and synergies.
- Impact, performance and service orientation.
- Effective knowledge and information management.
- Respect for staff and client diversity.
- Transparency, accountability and cost-effectiveness.
The National Museum of Kenya has an Institute that undertakes research in basic and applied aspects using monkeys and is involved in collaborative and contractual research in association with academic and industry at the international level. The institute is recognized by the World Health Organization WHO collaborating center in Human Reproduction and Tropical Disease Research. IPR has expanded tremendously in both physical and researches facilities and is now focused on the breeding and use of non-human primate study, prevent and or treat human diseases under the auspices of the animal welfare.
The National Museum of Kenya has put its footing on the international mapping through its various activities.
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) outlawed
One wonders how beneficial a practice like Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) was holding. This has been allowed to continue for many years despite an isolated outcry that spoke for thousands of young girls. It is now joy of a woman as women members of parliament hailed the passage of a bill that outlaws Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
Marakwet East Member of Parliament Linah Jebii Kilimo must have been the happiest of them all. She is also the chairperson of Kenyan Women Parliamentary Association. She excitedly said, “Today is a great day. Parliament has protected the girl child from the monster that is Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). This will mark a rise in retention and completion rates in schools.”
They said that women have gotten their independence away from the cruel hands of society. Many agreed that the government has taken a bold step and will not tolerate any more violations.
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) the ritual that stomped many
I first knew of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in the 90’s when Jebii kilimo started a vigorous campaign of protecting a girl child from undergoing this primitive ritual. Initially Jebii was almost the lone voice in this crusade probably due to her proper understanding of what it means to pass through this stage as a girl.
Later on she was joined by MP Sophie Abdi Noor who has consistently been championing the campaign against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). This is actually a historic moment for the country and to the women who had to undergo this process involuntary.
The Kenyan Demographic and Health Survey of 2008 and 2009 indicated the one out of every three women between the ages of 15 and 49 years had undergone Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
Most communities in the eastern and north rift embraced the female cut including some parts of Nyanza.
Lack of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) meant stigma and discrimination.
Many a courageous girl child and woman who’d defied the odd against the society by running away from the cut ended up being despised, stigmatized and discriminated against. They were not considered women enough and sometimes seen us unclean.
“People turned their faces away from me, as if I smelled, as I passed by. Even as a woman, because I had not undergone Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), they treated me as a child,” says Hon. Kilimo. Read more gender related topics
A young girl child aged 15 years would be subjected to a cut and eventually married off. Those that refused to have a cut were in most cases were harassed and derogatory remarks used against them repeatedly.
What the new law says on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
The Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Bill makes it illegal to practice FGM, procure the services of someone who practices ritual, or send a person out of the country to be genitally mutilated.
It also makes it clear that any forms of derogatory remarks against a woman because she has not been cut becomes illegal. The offenders are likely to serve a minimum of three years in prison sentence or a fine of at least Sh200,000 or both.
Any form of verbal abuse is likely to attract a penalty of imprisonment for not less than six months, or a fine of not less than Sh50,000 or both. Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a therefore a punishable offense.