Mount Kenya University Vice Chancellor Prof Stanley Waudo has supported the changes proposed in the basic education system from the current 8-4-4 to the incoming 6-6-3.
Speaking during a public lecture at the MKU Kisii’s Gesonso campus on Monday, Waudo said it's necessary to restructure the education system to realign it with the current global trends and best practices in order to make it competitive globally.
Already, Kenya’s department of education has stated that it will embark on a comprehensive review of the education system of the country with the aim of tailoring the curriculum to meet the demands of the 21st century.
If the new changes are effected, students will take 12 years; six in primary and another six in secondary school for basic education before proceeding for the university for a period of three years.
The 8-4-4 education system was introduced in Kenya in the year 1985. It was a shift from the earlier 7-4-2-3 education system.
Students will complete basic education one year younger once the 6-6-3 system is fully adopted.
The new education system will encourage students to specialise in the areas that they are good at, early enough, and then take on career paths at the tertially education level.
“There is no problem to review our syllabus so long as it serves the intended purpose. It is not the first times the changes are taking place, we had a different system before the current one came in place,” he said.
However, he appealed for the involvement of teachers and other key stakeholders in any changes deemed necessary to the current 8-4-4 education system.
Waudo defended the university’s step of retrenching tens of its workers saying there were duplicated roles.
“We had to take the bold step because the university was making a lot of losses. We were offering too many unnecessary units. We paid a lecturer about sh. 60, 000 for a single unit that the employer does not even consider.”
“However, we compressed some units to build students with wholestic approach, to be able to tackle emerging issues in areas of specialisation,” he added.
He noted teachers have a pivotal role they play in the society and therefore said they needed respect for their work.
Prof Waudo however, challenged them to be role models in communities they come from and places of work for the young ones to grow morally upright.
The campus director, Prof Tom Nyamache, hailed the community for trusting the university that has resulted in growing student population to the current 3,000.
“Because of quality training we are offering in our university, it has made parents and guardians have trust in us. However, we don’t take this for granted. We know shoddy work compromises standards of education resulting to production of half baked students,” said Prof Nyamache while addressing students.
Imperial and Set Green Hill Academy schools Director Charles Onsongo Mochama challenged the government to motivate teachers if it expects good results from them.
“You must give a dairy meal to a cow if you want to milk in high quality and quantity. The Same case applies to a teacher,” said Mochama.
“A motivated teacher will work selflessly for best results,” added Mochama who is also in the race for Nyamira gubernatorial seat.
Bogiakumu ward representative Richard Bundi Machana said that pumps would be erected near the university’s campus, to prevent accidents involving students and area residents.