Table of content

About Bachelor of Education (Special Needs Education) programme

The Bachelor of Education (Special Needs Education) programme prepares teachers to handle curriculum for the Hearing Impaired, Visually Impaired, and mentally and physically challenged persons.

Specifically, the BEd Special Needs Education programme been designed to respond to the emerging needs of providing skilled and competent teachers who can handle the Special Needs Curriculum in the secondary education system in Kenya.

Special Needs Education is a delivery system that is tailored to address the learning needs of students with exceptionalities that would not be adequately addressed through regular education. Public awareness and the current trends in the development of special needs education worldwide have created consciousness on the educational needs of students with disabilities and special educational needs. This has resulted in an increase in job opportunities for BEd Special Needs graduates in a wide array of roles such as teachers, quality assurance personnel, administrators, college lecturers and researchers in the area of special educational needs.

The national need for special education teachers in Kenya is expected to grow faster than the average for all other occupations mainly because of the increased awareness amongst the general populace as well as government regulations. For instance, the Constitution of Kenya (Chapter 4, Article 54 1(b)) enjoins upon all the appropriate stakeholders to “Ensure access to educational institutions and facilities for persons with disabilities that are integrated into society to the extent compatible with the interests of the person.

This Bachelor of Education (Special Needs) programme seeks to ensure that every child with a disability has access to appropriate pre-school, primary, secondary and post-secondary level education. Individuals trained in Education with special needs will be able to work in public and private institutions of learning. Graduates can also pursue further studies and courses and advance to become supervisors or administrators or instructors in colleges that prepare others to teach special education.

Where to study

Objectives of Bachelor of Education (Special Needs Education)

The Bachelor of Education (Special Needs Education) degree will produce teachers of high integrity and enable them to participate in the educational transformation process for individuals with special needs thereby contribute to nation-building.

Our schools need caring, well-prepared, and forward-looking special education teachers, as the quality of the bond between teachers and students is particularly important for the success of exceptional children. This program goes beyond best practices, prepares students to critically evaluate the literature on current and future practices.

The Bachelor of Education (Special Needs Education) degree program is designed to produce graduate teachers of high integrity who are well equipped with the requisite competencies and values of teaching special needs curriculum areas as prescribed in the secondary education curriculum in Kenya. Special Needs students require caring, well-prepared, and forward-looking special education teachers, as the quality of the bond between teachers and students is particularly important for their success. This program goes beyond best practices, prepares students to critically evaluate the literature on current and future practices.

Specifically, the program is planned in order to accomplish the following objectives:

to prepare the student for an active career in all aspects of the profession of education
to provide a comprehensive training background necessary for the students to become competent experts in the profession of education
to enable the student to identify the varied intellectual and special needs of the learner
to develop the intellectual, professional, and social characteristics that will enable the student to become responsible leaders in their schools and the community
to develop the scientific character and capabilities of dealing with issues and problems in education and society
to provide the students a rich basis for interest in further training and education in their areas of expertise, ability, and interest

Entry requirements for Bachelor of Education (Special Needs Education)

To be admitted to the Bachelor of Education (Special Needs Education) programme, candidates must meet the following entry requirements:

Mean grade C+ (plus) at KCSE or equivalent with a minimum of C+ in the subjects of specialization. For those taking science course a minimum of C plain in in mathematics is a requirement. Or
Mean grade C (Plain) at KCSE or an Equivalent with Diploma in education from a recognized Institution.Or
Diploma in Education from a recognized Institution with a mean grade of C-(Minus) and two years teaching experience Or
P1 certificate with a mean grade of C- (Minus) at KCSE level, Diploma in education from a recognized Institution and two years teaching experience.Or
KACE or equivalent Certificate with a minimum of the two principal passes and O-level Credit in Mathematics and one other subject.

Bachelor of Education (Special Needs Education) Course Subjects

The Bachelor of Education (Special Needs Education) programme is a multifaceted discipline that coordinates services that help students with exceptionalities achieve their maximum potentials and educational goals. In addition to taking the foundation courses in Education and Special Needs Education, students will be expected to take one teaching subject from the prescribed secondary school curriculum.

First Year, First Semester

Patho-Biology of Human Body Impairment 3
Introduction to Computer 3
Introduction to Spreadsheets and Databases 3
Introduction to Special Needs Education 3
Introduction to Educational Psychology 3
Two courses for each of the two teaching subjects 10

First Year, Second Semester

Education and Psychology of Learners with Special Needs 3
Programming in Pascal 3
Desktop Publishing 3
Environmental Education 3
History of Education 3
Two courses for each of the two teaching subjects 10
One week of ESE 102 will be set aside for school visits.

Second Year, First Semester Units

Introduction to Sign Language and Total Communication 2
Introduction to Braille 2
Introduction to Learning Disability and Individualized Education Programme (IEP) 2
Philosophy of Education 3
Web design and Publishing 3
Information System Analysis and Design 3
General Methods of Teaching 3
Two courses for each of the two teaching subjects 10

Second Year, Second Semester Units

Behaviour Modification 2
Cognition and Learning Process 2
Identification, Assessment and Intervention Strategies with Children who are Gifted and Talented 2
Attachment 1
Database Systems 3
Management Information Systems 3
Educational Media and Resources 3
Curriculum Development
Two courses for each of the two teaching subjects 10

Third Year, First Semester Units

Speech, Language Development and Communication Disorders 2
Internet Computing 3
Multimedia and Graphics 3
Human Growth and Development 3
Special Methods of Teaching Two Subjects 6
Two courses for each of the two teaching subjects 10
Any One Elective from the list below 1

ELECTIVES

Medical Conditions Associated with Mental Handicap 1
Kenyan Sign Language I 1
Braille II 1
Motor, Neurological, Physical and Health Impairment 1

Third Year, Second Semester Units

Adapted Physical Education for the Handicapped 2
Electronic Commerce 3
Statistical Analysis with SPSS 3
Educational Technology 3
Human Behaviour and Learning 2
Two courses for each of the two teaching subjects 10
Any One Elective from the list below

ELECTIVES

Perception Training For Learners with Mental Retardation 2
Kenyan Sign Language II 2
Alternative Communication Skills and Barrier Free Environment For Physical Handicapped 2
Orientation and Mobility 2

Fourth Year, First Semester Units