A new education system that is expected to phase out the 8-4-4 system was on Thursday officially launched for trial in local schools.
The system, which was launched by Education cabinet secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i will be conducted in 470 schools on a trial basis.
“We are taking decisions that we know we can live with financially,” said Dr Matiang’i. “We want accurate responses from learners. Do not edit them, we want factual information that will help us make rational decisions.”
Five pre-primary and five primary schools from each county have been picked for the pilot programme.
Testing of course materials will take eight to 10 weeks. Teachers in the identified schools will be trained to enable them implement the curriculum. One school in every county will cater to learners with special needs.
A report on the findings will be presented to the Cabinet and submitted to Parliament for approval before the end of the year.
The new system is divided into three segments starting with early Pre-primary One to Grade 3, Middle-School (comprising Grades 4 to 9) and Senior School (from Grade 10 to 12).
The new curriculum seeks to equip learners with seven key skills; communication and collaboration; self-efficacy; critical thinking and problem solving; creativity and imagination; citizenship; digital literacy; and learning to learn.
