The 8-4-4 education system in Kenya was introduced in 1985 as a competency-oriented curriculum designed to emphasize practical skills and self-reliance. It consists of 8 years of primary education, 4 years of secondary education, and 4 years of university education. The system was intended to equip learners with hands-on skills, especially in technical and vocational subjects, preparing them for both employment and higher education. While it has contributed significantly to educational access, the 8-4-4 system has faced criticism over exam pressure and insufficient focus on holistic learner development—leading to its gradual replacement by the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).

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