IDEA MAGAZINE September-November 2015 | Page 10

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