The Presidential Working Party on education reforms is contemplating an intermediate 2-6-2-4-3 system of education to allow time for full incorporation of the Competence-based curriculum (CBC).
This would see the government move away from the 2-6-3-3-3 implemented by former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
According to preliminary reports from the task force, the system would see pupils go through two years in pre-primary education, six years in primary school, and two in Junior Secondary School (JSS).
They would then proceed to four years in secondary school and later three years in higher education institutions.
If implemented, grade six graduates would proceed to Standard Seven in their respective primary schools for their junior secondary.
According to the reports, the task force is also set to recommend a different uniform for Standard Seven and Eight learners.
“For psychological satisfaction, the uniforms will distinguish them from the rest of learners because they will be at a higher level than their colleagues," Kenya Primary School Heads Association (KEPSHA) told The Standard.
Upon reaching Standard Eight, the learners will sit for their final examinations to pave the way for their placement in senior secondary schools.
This would help solve the dilemma of where the junior secondary school is to be domiciled.
The system would be a departure from the initially recommended 2-6-3-3-3, where learners were expected to proceed to junior secondary for three years after completing Grade six.
These propositions came amid a contest on the fate of Grade six learners with regard to the location of junior secondary school.
A contest ensued regarding the matter, with both primary school teachers and secondary school teachers taking divergent stands.
Representatives of primary school teachers recommended the junior secondary school be situated within primary schools, while post-primary teachers pushed for the JSS to be in secondary schools.
Members of the CBC working party are expected to submit their preliminary report on the task force's findings to President William Ruto for consideration.
The Raphael Munavu-led part was tasked to gather views from pertinent stakeholders regarding the suitability of CBC, in line with President Ruto's pledge to ensure the efficiency and affordability of the new curriculum.
