Students who are joining universities to pursue Bachelor of Education degrees will now spend more time in the institutions of higher levels of learning in line with the new proposals in the competency-based curriculum (CBC).
The trainees will be required to spend at least five years in universities before graduating according to the latest report. Currently, students pursuing Bachelor of Education degrees take four years, as most undergraduate courses in the country
This proposal follows a letter written by Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) chief executive Agnes Wahome to vice-chancellors in both public and private universities directing them to adjust and review their programs to align with proposals from the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
“On February 24, the placement service received proposals on the reviewed placement criteria to degree programs from the TSC,” Wahome stated.
The new proposals take cognizance of the introduction of some new courses in CBC following recommendations by the task force.
“This will assist the commission to handle the new areas that have been introduced in the CBC for junior and senior secondary. the whole course will take five years and a half,” TSC CEO Nancy Macharia disclosed.
According to the proposals, students will be expected to take two full-term teaching practices for six months after completing the course. Students will be selected according to a set of criteria that will be made public by TSC informing the entire process.
KUCCPS has become a central body for the placement of students after the Ministry of Education issued a directive. Principal Secretary for Early Learning and Basic Education, Dr. Julius Jwan announced that all applications to TTCs will be conducted by the Kenya KUCCPS.
PS Jwan noted that the new recruitment formula through KUCCPS will enable the applicants to benefit from the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) assistance just like students in other institutions