Kenya’s 8-4-4 system of education, which has been in operation for the last 31 years is set to be phased out and replaced with a new three-tier system with fewer subjects and more practical skills.

Under the government’s proposed 2:6:6:3, learners will spend two years in nursery, six years in primary, another six years at secondary, and at least three years at the university.

The proposals are contained in a government document dubbed, The Reforms Road Map, that were endorsed early this year by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The recommendations are anchored on the 2011 Education Task Force report chaired Prof Douglas Odhiambo that proposed the new system of 2-6-6-3 be adopted.

The 2-6-6-3 system will translate to two years in nursery, six years in primary, another six years at secondary, and at least three years at the university.

A report giving views of Kenyans on the matter that was made public yesterday also augurs with the governments proposed system.

According to the report, parents and other stakeholders are advocating for a curriculum that’s more practical and results oriented not exam. Pre-primary and lower primary education should form the first tier of education called ‘early years education’ and the focus will be on fundamental skills.The report says.

The 8-4-4 system has often been criticized for failing to promote wholesome learning.

According to Education CS Fred Mariang’i the new education system will be implemented in January if all goes as planned. This will in effect seal the fate of Standard Eight and Form Four national examinations. If adopted, 2018 may mark the last time the KCPE examinations are written in Kenya with the last KCSE cohort scheduled to sit the exam in 2021.