TEACHER

How to become a Teacher in Kenya

There has been significant expansion of primary & secondary education. This has led to expansion in training of teachers. This is so in Primary education where teachers training colleges have grown from 32 (15yrs) ago to 106 currently with an enrollment of more than 50,000 trainees. 21 teachers training colleges are public while the rest are private. Two public diploma colleges Kagumo & Kababii are among few who offer diploma. All public university & constituent colleges offer teacher training at degree level to both regular & self sponsored students. Two private institutions Mt. Kenya University & Catholic University offer elaborate teacher training programmes.

1. Early childhood education teacher

There has been significant expansion of teacher training in Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) also called pre-school especially in public colleges. For a certificate in ECDE you need to score minimum D+ for the 2yr certificate course. With C (plain) & above you can enroll for a 3 yr diploma course in ECDE. They are examined by KNEC where ECDE teachers get ECDE certificate or diploma.

2. Primary education teacher

The minimum requirement for admission to primary teacher training public college for the 2 yr P1 course is C (plain). Admission in public institutions is done on quota basis with each district being allocated slots to the colleges. The process of admission starts in March when they advertise in press & education offices in the country. Selection is done in July & those admitted join in September. It costs about 80,000 in public colleges for the 2 yrs while in private colleges it costs between 100,000-160,000. Most private colleges admit in January, May and September.

Students are examined by KNEC & the P1 teachers are awarded primary teacher Ed. (PTE) certificate

Salary at entry level is 19,323 and they join at Job Group H. The highest in that group earn 24,662.

3. Secondary education teacher

Degree

To be a secondary school teacher you enroll for Bachelor of Education (Arts/Sciences) degree where you take a combination of 2 teaching subjects. It is a 4yr course and before graduation you go for teaching practice for 1 term mainly during the second term. You can teach in Arts or science depending on your interests. Need a minimum mean grade C+ with C+ in your subjects of choice.

Diploma

To enroll for a 3 year diploma course you need to have mean grade C+ with at least C+ in your chosen 2 teaching subjects, with C(plain) in Eng., C (plain) in Math for science applicants and D+ in Math for non-science applicants. The same applies for the 4 year degree course in universities. All graduates have equal access to employment opportunities. Employers include schools or the ministry of education. Currently TSC absorbs about 40,000 graduates every year in both public & private school.

Salaries: Lowest paid (Entry level Diploma) earns 24, 662 and the highest paid will earn in that group earns 35,910.

Entry level salary for Degree graduate 31,020 and the highest in that group earns 41,590