Controversial preacher Victor Kanyari has sparked debate online after questioning the length of time children spend in school. In a widely shared statement, he suggested that formal education should end at the primary level.

“Shule inafaa iishie class 8… kwani tulikuja duniani kusoma peke yake?”
Pastor Kanyari // Instagram
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A Wider Debate on Education Systems

Kanyari’s comments tap into a long-running conversation about how long children spend in school compared to other parts of the world.
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In Kenya, the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) structure currently outlines 2-6-3-3-3, meaning:
  • 2 years of pre-primary
  • 6 years of primary
  • 6 years of secondary (split into junior and senior)
  • 3 years of university (minimum)
This translates to at least 17 years of formal education before entering the workforce.
Reports from organisations such as UNESCO have noted that many developed systems emphasise technical training and skill-building at earlier stages, which can shorten the path to employment.
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Social Media Reactions

Kanyari’s statement quickly drew mixed reactions online, with many Kenyans responding humorously while others criticised the idea.
Some comments included:
“Tunafungua makanisa sasa tunacorn washirika kama wewe 😂😂😂”
“Ficha huyu, UDA will appoint him CS Education.”
“Even school should have two terms… no homework… and lessons end at 2pm.”
“Kidogo kidogo appointment Ministry of Education… my Kenya 😂”
“Hio ni effect ya easy kwa kanisa 😂😂😂”
Pastor Kanyari // Instagram

Concerns About Skills and Employment

Across Africa, critics of long academic pathways often argue that students spend many years in school but graduate without practical skills.

According to World Bank data, youth unemployment in Sub-Saharan Africa remains high, with many graduates struggling to transition into jobs.

Some education analysts say this gap is not necessarily about the number of years spent in school, but rather what is taught during those years.
Systems that integrate vocational training, digital skills, and entrepreneurship tend to produce more work-ready graduates.