The minimum grades required for one to train as a teacher in Kenya are set to change.
The Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) wants the entry grade for trainee teachers set at C+. Currently, students who scored D in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education exams can join the profession. The new C+ entry level should cut across those joining the Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE), primary and also secondary levels, according to a report on the draft framework for teacher training education reforms by KICD.
There will also be no certificate courses for ECDE, primary teachers’ education and diploma secondary teacher education as all will be raised to diploma level lasting two years. The C+ grade was also preferred for diploma education courses in special needs education and those joining Technical Vocational Education and Training.
Those joining middle school teacher education should have attained a C+ in English and Kiswahili; and other three teaching subjects. The report has proposed that secondary teacher education be offered as an integrated Bachelor of Education programme or post-graduate diploma where each candidate will study two teaching subjects.
“Post-diploma training in technical teacher education will be offered to interested candidates who must possess a diploma or bachelor’s degree in any relevant field and should have at least three years’ experience,” the report partly read.
The new teachers’ curriculum will see student teachers get equipped with information communication technology, psychology, sociology, economics, administrative and entrepreneurship skills.
