Diploma in Agricultural Education & Extension offered by Egerton University

Agriculture plays a central role in supplying food and providing raw materials for industry. In developing countries, including Kenya, agriculture is a major foreign exchange earner and source of employment. The level of performance of the agriculture sector is dependent on the quality of training in agriculture.

This Diploma programme in Agricultural Education and Extension at Egerton University is intended to prepare individuals who can assist the nation realize those aims set for agriculture. The programme has a broad range of courses in basic sciences, technical agriculture and communication. The graduates of the programme are prepared to assume positions in teaching, agricultural extension and rural development.

Agriculture contributes about 26% directly and 27% indirectly to Kenya?s GDP and provides income to over 70% of Kenyans. Only individuals who have had extensive periods of preparation can effectively participate in the development of the nation?s agriculture.

The philosophical basis of training in agricultural education and agricultural extension is to prepare a critical mass of producers, managers, extension officers and researchers who can effectively participate in the modernization of agriculture.

The Diploma programme in Agricultural Education and Extension is intended to produce individuals who have undergone training in technical agriculture, extension education, agricultural education and communication skills to meet the demands of modern agriculture. In addition, the graduates of the programme would have acquired the skills of setting up and managing agribusinesses.

The Diploma programme in Agricultural Education and Extension at Egerton University intends to produce graduates who will be able to:

1. Teach agriculture, biology and related subjects in schools, teacher training colleges and agricultural training institutions;
2. Develop, implement, monitor and evaluate agricultural projects and extension programmes;
3. Design, conduct and evaluate training programmes for farmers, community based organizations and NGOs;
4. and
5. Pursue further education in agriculture, agricultural education and extension.

Egerton University rules and regulations for admission into Diploma programme shall apply.

1. Candidates must have passed K.C.S.E. or its equivalent with a minimum of C grades in the following subjects:-
   • English or Kiswahili
   • Biology/Biological Science
   • Chemistry/Physical Science
   • Mathematics or Physics or Geography OR
2. Holders of a certificate in agriculture or related fields from institutions recognized by Egerton University.
   • The certificate must be at Credit level or above.

Duration of Study
The training shall extend for a period of three academic years. Each academic year shall consist of two semesters, each of 17 weeks.
Field Attachment and Teaching Practice will be after the second and third year of study respectively.
Department of Agricultural Education and Extension 402

Area of Study
1. Communication and Technology
2. Curriculum Development and Teaching Methods
3. Rural Sociology and Extension Education
4 Practicum and Seminars

Examination
Egerton University examination rules and regulations shall apply.
Examinations shall be conducted at the end of each semester. Grading shall consist of continuous assessment tests (CATs) accounting for 30% and final examination accounting for 70% of the total marks.
Courses that are purely of practical nature and seminars may be assessed entirely by continuous assessment.

Teaching Practice Assessment
Each student shall be assessed by universitylecturers in a minimum of four classroom sessions. The final score for each student will be an average of the scores.

Teaching Practice Project Assessment Award of marks for shall be as follows.
Project proposal 25%
The project 50%
Project report 25%

Field Attachment Assessment Award of marks shall be as follows.
University assessors 50%
Field supervision report 25%
Final report 25%