AMERICAN vs KENYAN
EDUCATION SYSTEM
Is the Kenyan Education system compatible to the US Education system? Countries all over the world are interested in
finding methods of developing holistic education systems.
Holistic education aims at helping students be well rounded so
that they can have desirably varied abilities. It is concerned not
only with the student’s intellectual potential but also focuses
on other aspects such as the physical, emotional, social and
creative abilities. High quality education is the foundation of
growth for any country.
However, there are numerous misconceptions about Africa
especially by foreigners who have never had the opportunity to
travel to any country in Africa. These misconceptions are not
just isolated to Africans themselves but to their political, social
and economic welfare which includes the quality of education
among other issues. Most of these misconceived assumptions
are based on what people see on TV or read in books and
magazines.
Education is a subject that is very close to my heart. I have
gained most of my insight from being a student and educator in
both Kenya and the US which is not an experience that I would
trade for anything.Some of us may have gone to schools in
IDEA DIAPORA 9
the rural areas while others may have gone to schools in the
urban areas. Because of the uniqueness of our experiences, it
would not be prudent to be generic about our different backgrounds. Suffice it to say that regardless of where we grew up
and which schools we attended, determination and hard work
are the key to success.
Just like Kenya, the US education system follows a pattern
which is more or less similar to that of other countries. For
example, the 8-4-4 system in Kenya is equivalent to the US
Education system. Elementary school in the US which covers
early childhood is similar to Primary school in Kenya,
followed by middle school {8 years}, then High school which
is the same as Secondary school{4 years} and lastly, postsecondary {tertiary} which includes college and university{4
years}
Both America and Kenya have tests that are well designed,
comprehensive and standardized throughout the nation. These
tests are indicators of the student’s progress. Students are
required to pass tests at certain grade levels before proceeding
to the next grade. Examples of these national exams in Kenya
are KCPE {Kenya Certificate of Primary Education} which a
student is required to pass to be eligible to join high school and