THE IMPACT OF THE 8-4-4 EDUCATION SYSTEM ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN ENTERPRISE CULTURE FOR BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENT AND GROWTH

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to a certain whether the 8-4-4 system of education has had a significant impact on students in making them want to be self-reliant through establishment of their own business enterprises. With the few employment opportunities, self-employment has been identified as an alternative to wage employment. The study was a descriptive research design which was conducted through questionnaires personally delivered and collected from the sampled schools. The survey was conducted on seven out of sixty seven (67) public secondary schools and the only post-secondary tertiary training Institute in Thika District. The short time and financial constraints did not allow a wider geographical coverage. Weather conditions (EI Nino) and inaccessibility of schools forced the researcher to re- sample the schools. The findings of the study indicated that students were willing to start up their own enterprises. Their reason for wanting to be in business was mainly due to lack of employment opportunities. The 8-4-4 system of education did not play a significant role.