With a sharp drop in the number of students enrolling in teacher training colleges in the last two years, the Kenya National Qualification Authority (KNQA) has reduced the minimum qualification for students joining TTC to pursue diploma and certificate courses.
According to Dr Juma Mukhwana, Director General, KNQA, certificate courses will be phased out next year, leaving only diploma programs for primary school trainee teachers.
“This is in line with the Kenya National Qualifications Framework, which has been widely discussed and adopted by stakeholders,” Mukhwana said.
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With the new rules, students wishing to study for the Diploma in Education will need a C plain or C- below a previous C+ in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE). Meanwhile, those seeking a Certificate in Education (known as a P1) will need a D+ below the C field.
These changes will ensure sustainability of teacher training in the country, which is under threat from the reforms being undertaken in the Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) sector,” said Dr Mukhwana.
He added that students seeking direct admission in universities would still need to obtain an average grade of C+ in KCSE.
Education Cs expressed concern over the low number of students applying to join the teacher training colleges.
“We have to address this issue, otherwise we will not get secondary and primary school teachers in future,” said CS
CS further regretted the students’ lack of interest in this profession, yet the government was investing a lot of resources in this area.
Teachers Service Commission (TSC) figures show that there are 295,000 trained teachers that are yet to be absorbed by the government and private sector.
