The education field is arguably one of the most publicly scrutinised sectors. This could be for the reason that it affects individuals, communities and the country at large. The main analysis for the sector that’s commonly referred to as “the most important” to the future of any nation, are the changes that often take place in the system. However, education experts argue that changes are needed to create an environment that takes into consideration different people and backgrounds, and of course, the moving times. Researchers also suggest that every education policy needs to be revised at least every five years. However, though researchers recommend modifications, they do not agree on the time frame for revision, some suggest five years whereas others expect revision when the first cohort undertaking that revised policy and/or curriculum has graduated. Dr Prudence Ngarambe, a senior lecturer at US-based Boston University, says that adjustments need to happen, but educationalists and policymakers have to ‘stay awake’ for the results they will bring. He believes that students have to be optimistic, “It’s a form of experimental exercise which eventually results into a solid solution. “It doesn’t need to be considered negative, it might change once, twice or thrice, but I assure you that, at the end of the day, the result will be more efficient,” he adds. He urges students not to allow these changes to affect their performance. “Of course, students need to persist, this should not be an excuse to lag behind in classes,” he warns. According to Dr Mercyline Kamande, Deputy Vice Chancellor of Mount Kenya University, the education system also changes basing on the market dynamics. “If you are educating students, you are doing so in a fast-changing world. They are learning to serve that changing world, so you will need to also adapt as the world changes,” she says, citing that the mission of education is to prepare students for the fast-changing world, hence, they will need to change ‘before change changes them’. “We have to release new people to the new world, and make sure they have the updated skills needed for the market,” she says. Parents are also aware that some changes have to occur to address the needs of the modern world. “A broader range of skills are changing now and then, so young people in school should also understand that it is needed for them to be able to face the challenges of the modern world,” says Landouard Tubiturimana, a father of two.
