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{
    "id": 230583,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/230583/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 300,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Dr. Mwiria",
    "speaker_title": "The Assistant Minister for Education",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 190,
        "legal_name": "Valerian Kilemi Mwiria",
        "slug": "kilemi-mwiria"
    },
    "content": " Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, 4192 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES December 6, 2006 Sir, I never implied that they are not broad-minded at all. I just asked: Are you likely to be more broad-minded if you are exposed to a broader range of subjects than they were? You are already broad-minded. We can tell that. However, if you have a broader access to more subjects, are you likely to be much more broad-minded? On the issue of confusion, it is never our intention to confuse anyone. Hon. Members can also refuse to be confused. So, it is a point of argument. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, about specialisation, I think the real problem with the 8-4-4 System of Education as far as I am concerned is that, we started and never completed it. We have eight years of primary education, four years of secondary education and four years of university education. When we follow the American system, why is it that it is difficult for pupils from disadvantaged institutions to become medical doctors and engineers? It is because from Form IV, one qualifies straight to a professional degree course. Why can we not improve the system by creating more opportunities? We should insist that when you go to a university, you should do general courses in the first two years. Then, if you want to study medicine, you do a qualifying examination across the board. That exam will be done by a student who went to a disadvantaged rural school and one who went to Alliance High School. That way, you will have had a similar experience at the university. This is the best way to ensure that medical, engineering, architectural degrees and so on, are not monopolised by those who are privileged. We just need to give them that chance because the exposure is the same, they do entrance examinations and we begin to select for professional degrees at that point. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, there is plenty more to say but I better rest my case here. Let us think about improving the system that we have. It is very expensive! Changing an education system is not like moving from one house to another. With those few remarks, I beg to oppose."
}