8-4-4 curriculum

As a toddler I was lucky to have grown under strict watch of brother to my mother, that is my uncle, needless to say my biological father never took the initiative to take the responsibilities. That aside, this man, my uncle molded me to the lad I can take pride of today. He inflicted in me the right morals and discipline in order to blend in a society that so discriminate single parented kids, thanks to Uncle Njau Mwaniki.

courtesy of think stock

Now the last time we had a very engaging dialogue was when we were figuring out which college my cousin who was straight from high school could join. She had a bunch of brochure ranging from private to government colleges. The twist was what course she would undertake.

Mr. Njau Mwaniki took over, he pointed out a number of issues that I so felt he would have addressed the Cabinet Secretary of education. “The problem with this 8-4-4 system is that you people tend to be so indecisive what career path to take.” He pointed out.

He felt the urge for the government to review the syllabus and include a lot of craft in the system. “Now I do agree and congratulate you for the good grades, but you are stuck not knowing which profession you would take path. I mean for me I did have a chance to join high school but yet am multi-skilled given that I have done a lot of hands on work.”

He didn’t mean to intimidate us but overall after listening I came to agree that the subjects that were so relevant should be back. That remands me the last time I was in an art and craft class in standard four. We were taught how to make a pair of spectacles where we would bend a wire then use transparent paper for the lenses.

students in a library

What do I mean? Right now it is painfully bad that a mere fourth form graduate cannot mend a torn pair of panties, simply no skills. This was part of primary school curriculum that would have helped those in this era want to venture into fashion design, Home science to those in hospitality industry and many more subjects like music, wood work, electricity and any other relevant life skill subject.

Back to my point which is if these subjects can be brought forth to our 8-4-4 system we would have spirited professions who chose career path out of passion but not out of mere speculation of job industry. Anyway why would one worry of a job more than doing what they do have a passion for more so a hobby translates to a satisfying career!