Education in Kenya

The basic school system for education in Kenya is the same as in many other western countries, including the United States.

It's referred to as an 8-4-4 system of education. In Kenya, the first primary school level lasts for 8 years, then there is 4 years of secondary school. After that, there may be 4 years of college or university for those who can afford it, and have high enough grades. Enrollment levels drop dramatically after the primary level.

(Progression from primary to secondary school and from secondary to university is through selection on the basis of performance in the national examinations for the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) and the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), respectively.)

Duration of compulsory education: 8 years  (free starting in 2003)
Starting age of compulsory education: 6 years
Ending age of compulsory education: 13 years

Though stricken with poverty and hardships, the people of Kenya are generally literate. It's estimated that approximately 90% of adult males, and 80% of adult females are able to read and write. While the basics are covered, more advanced education is not as widespread. On average, children go to school for only 9 or 10 years.

Source.

Key Facts about education in Kenya, based on the results of the Uwezo 2009 assessment:

1. Literacy levels are low, and are substantially lower in certain regions. Girls tend to perform better in reading English and Kiswahili, while boys tend to perform better in math.
2. Literacy levels are lower in public schools than private schools.
3. Most children can solve real world, “ethno-mathematics” problems, while fewer can solve similar math problems in an abstract, pencil and paper format.
4. 5% of children are not enrolled in school, but the problem is far worse in particular regions.
5. About half of children are enrolled in pre-school.
6. Many children are older than expected for their class level, including 40% of children in class 2, and 60% of children in class 7.
7. North Eastern Province and arid districts in Rift Valley and Eastern Provinces have particularly low performance; and many older children, especially girls, are not attending school.
8. Many families pay for extra tuition, which focuses heavily on drilling and exam preparation.
9. Schools struggle to plan their budgets because they receive funds at unpredictable times.
10. Children whose mothers are educated, particularly beyond primary school, tend to have much higher rates of literacy and numeracy.
11. About 15% of students are absent on a given day, with much higher absenteeism in certain districts.
12. There is a severe shortage of teachers, estimated at 4 teachers per school.

Source.

Research conducted by Jenn.