The National Goals of Education in Kenya: Interrogating the Achievement of National Unity

Abstract

Education is critical in promoting political, social and economic development of any country.  It is expected to provide an all-round development of its recipients to enable them overcome prevailing challenges and therefore play effective roles in their immediate society.  The provision of a meaningful and adequate education is fundamental to Kenya’s overall development strategy (MOEST, 2004).  The functions the Kenyan education system seeks to attain are embedded in the three aims of education and further translated in the eight national goals of education. These goals explain the ideals this system seeks to attain in terms of the knowledge, skills, and values the country wishes its learners to acquire. The formulation of the eight goals of education is meant to specify more precisely, what qualities are thought most desirable to develop among the Kenyan citizens.

Kenya as a country has made efforts to direct its educational endeavours towards its national goals; however, an examination of products of this system and a critical analysis of the state of the society points to the need for more effort.  For instance, since independence, the national goal of national unity has continued to feature prominently among Kenya’s national goals of education due to its significance in a state with divergent characteristics. The happenings witnessed in the country especially during the post-election violence of 2007-2008 and the elusive attainment of nationalism and patriotism seem to suggest that this goal is far from being achieved.

This paper interrogates the national goals of education in Kenya with a focus on the goal of fostering national unity. It examines the achievements with regards to this goal and highlights critical issues that prevent its successful attainment. It also attempts to identify gaps which require attention, research and implementation to enable sustainable solutions to one of the society’s key needs.

Key words: education, goals of education, national unity