8-4-4 Curriculum, Cavina School, Reggio Emilia Early Learning or Waldorf Education System? Which one is the Best Curriculum for your Child?
Did you know that your child does not have to go through the 8-4-4 education system in Kenya?
Choosing the best education curriculum for your child to pursue in Kenya can be an uphill task.
It becomes even more confusing if you are hear the above-mentioned terms for the first time.
This article seeks to take you through the 8-4-4 system, Cavina School system, Reggio Emilia and Waldorf education systems to help you pick on the best education system for your child in Kenya.
- Waldorf Education/ Curriculum in Kenya-Daisies and Lilies
It is offered at the Nairobi Waldorf School.
It focuses on provoking imagination and thought in learners as they go through the various stages of growth and development and experience life.
At its formative stage, Waldorf education aims at exposing students to nature so that they can interact with nature.
Proponents of this system believe that a child’s early years form the core of existence.
At the lower primary, the child interacts with the artistic side: rhythm, movement, form, colour, song, recitation and music.
Its major proponent Rudolf Steiner emphasizes learning from primary experience rather than from secondary sources of information.
For example, instead of explaining how flowering takes place, learners learn it through stewardship and keen observation of environmental changes.
In Kenya, learners are grouped based on their stages of development:
Daisies (toddlers, 18 months- two and a half years)
Lilies (playgroup, two and half years to four)
Kindergarten (4-6 years)
Formal education commences at 6 years old.
According to the Nairobi Waldorf School’s admission policy, a child entering class one must have attained the age of six years by august 15, before the first term in September.
Waldorf students complete elementary education at 14 in class seven.
Waldorf curriculum includes Kiswahili, French, Handwork, Form Drawing, Sports, Eurhythmy (an art form consisting of music, sound, movement, coordination and grace), Woodwork, Music, Art and Claywork.
- Cavina School Education System in Kenya
The Cavina School Curriculum is divided into four major sections.
These are Pre-Preparatory Unit, Junior School, Middle School and Senior School.
NOTE: CORPORAL PUNISHMENT IS INCORPORATED IN CAVINA SCHOOL SYSTEM WHEN NECESSARY SINCE “THE LORD DISCIPLINES THOSE HE LOVES”
It encompasses eight major subjects that are: Mathematics, English, French, Science, Geography, British History, Scripture and Latin.
It also involves comprehensive instructions in Art, Music, Physical Education, Performing Arts and Computer Studies throughout the school.
Extracurricular activities include calligraphy, choral work, orchestral workshops, computer-related activities, wildlife, cooking, squash and home crafts.
NOTE: CORPORAL PUNISHMENT IS INCORPORATED IN CAVINA SCHOOL SYSTEM WHEN NECESSARY SINCE “THE LORD DISCIPLINES THOSE HE LOVES”
- Reggio Emilia Early Learning in Kenya
It provides a holistic approach to imparting skills and knowledge.
It is offered at the Woodland Star School in Limuru, Brookhouse School in Nairobi.
In Reggio Emilia Early Learning, children freely interact with art forms such as music, clay, natural material play, drawing, group art etc.
It enables students to appreciate the environment and respect it.
Teachers act as researchers and learners. Therefore, they only help children make decisions and construct knowledge in their environment.
Montessori materials are incorporated into the teaching of Math and phonics skills at formative stages to prepare kids for kindergarten.
- 8-4-4 System in Kenya
It is the most popular education system in Kenya.
In the 8-4-4 system, Mathematics, English and Kiswahili are compulsory with various vocational subjects involving History, Geography, Religion and Science being incorporated.
It has three sections, pre-primary which takes two years, primary education (8 years) and secondary school (4 years).
Primary education in Kenya has been free and compulsory since 2003.
The learners have to undertake two major examinations that are the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education, KCPE at around 14 years to complete their primary education and the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education, KCSE at around 18 years to crown their secondary level education.
