School children in Bungoma.

The current education curriculum should be perfected and made better rather than implementing the new proposed education system of 2-6-3-3-3 according to the acting deputy DEO for Bungoma south, Mr. Omitha John.

Concerning the complain from potential employers of graduates of the 8-4-4 system, Mr. Omitha said that the problem is with the universities that create courses that are not recognized by the registering bodies like the association for engineers, doctors and lawyers. “The problem is with the universities not the education system,” said Mr. Omitha.

For instance, the engineering council has refused to register ‘qualified’ engineers from some of our universities. Some say the medical council is likely to do the same for our newly trained doctors on the grounds that they were trained in facilities and personnel that don’t meet the bar.

Given this seemingly shoddy end product, therefore, it is fitting that the increasing calls for improvement of the education system be heeded. It is for the same reason that some Kenyan parents overwhelmingly send their children to Uganda after the poor students are done with form four in Kenya.

It has been argued that the 8-4-4 education system has been of more benefit to textbooks publishers and school owners.

Mr. Justus Masika, who is the principal for Wamalwa Kijana secondary, said that the curriculum content for the 8-4-4 system is heavy; therefore, some teachers rush over it omitting some areas while giving priority to examinable areas only hence giving a raw deal to learners.

Mr. Masika also added that the problem of joblessness is brought about by the learners narrowing to particular profession only like teaching. “Learners at all levels of learning need to be taught about employment attitudes,” said Mr. Masika.

The principal said that the FSC and FPE money has not been released which has caused small day schools that rely majorly on these funds to suffer. He also urged parents to be responsible and play their role maximally.

“Parents need to guide and counsel their children, monitor children when they are under their care at home, and pay fees as expected  to support the education sector,” said Mr. Omitha.

Mr. Masika warned parents from giving preference to their children who are in boarding schools and pledge instead of paying fees to their children who are in local day schools.