Education

Bachelor of Arts in Education Special Needs Education (Primary Option)

The Bachelor of Arts in Education Special Needs Education (Primary Option) is a four-year degree programme that prepares graduates to support learners with special educational needs in primary schools.

The curriculum covers child development, primary curriculum studies, teaching methods for mathematics, science, languages, and social studies, alongside special needs education courses including inclusive education, education of learners with hearing impairment, visual impairment, physical disabilities, learning disabilities, and emotional and.

Students develop competencies in special needs assessment, individualised education programme development, inclusive classroom management, assistive technology use, behaviour modification, and child-centred teaching methods. The programme includes micro-teaching sessions, a teaching practice attachment in a primary school or special education unit, and practical experience with assistive technologies.

Graduates pursue careers as primary school teachers with special needs expertise, special education teachers in primary schools, inclusive education coordinators, and educational consultants.

The programme is offered at Mount Kenya University, Karatina University, Kenyatta University, and other institutions with established special needs education departments.

Accreditation is provided by the Commission for University Education (CUE), ensuring the programme meets national quality standards. The Teachers Service Commission recognises graduates for employment in public primary and special schools. Admission requires a KCSE mean grade of C+ or a C plain with a KNEC Diploma in Special Needs Education.

Duration: 4 Years
Public, up to: Ksh 244,800
Private, up to: Ksh 152,000
Job market: High

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 25 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Introduction to Special Needs Education
Inclusive Education
Child Development and Psychology
Philosophy of Education
Curriculum Design and Development
General Teaching Methods
Education of Learners with Hearing Impairment
Education of Learners with Visual Impairment
Educational Measurement and Evaluation
Teaching Practice

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Special Needs Education
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundational concepts in special needs education, including types of disabilities, historical development, and legislation affecting special education in Kenya.
Philosophy of Education
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Philosophical foundations of education, including major schools of thought and their implications for inclusive primary education.
Child Development and Psychology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development of children from early childhood through adolescence, with focus on atypical development.
Sociology of Education
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Social factors affecting education, including the role of family, community, and culture in special needs education.
Inclusive Education
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles and practices of inclusive education at primary level, including curriculum adaptation, differentiated instruction, and universal design for learning.
General Teaching Methods
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles and methods of teaching at primary level, including lesson planning, instructional strategies, and child-centred approaches for diverse learners.
Curriculum Design and Development
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Principles of curriculum design and development for primary education, including adaptation and modification for inclusive settings.
Education of Learners with Hearing Impairment
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Teaching strategies, communication methods, and assistive technologies for learners with hearing impairments in primary classrooms.
Educational Tests and Measurement
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles and methods of educational assessment, including adapted assessment techniques for learners with special needs.
Education of Learners with Visual Impairment
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Teaching approaches, tactile learning methods, and assistive technologies for learners with visual impairments in primary education.
Teaching Practice
Year 3Semester 26 creditsCore
Supervised teaching practice in primary schools and special education units, applying inclusive teaching strategies across the primary curriculum.
Research Project in Special Needs Primary Education
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
Independent research project at the intersection of special needs education and primary teaching, culminating in a written dissertation.

Specialisations

Education of Learners with Hearing Impairment
Teaching strategies, communication methods, and assistive technologies for learners with hearing impairments in primary classrooms.
Education of Learners with Visual Impairment
Teaching approaches, tactile learning methods, and assistive technologies for learners with visual impairments in primary education.
Education of Learners with Learning Disabilities
Identification, assessment, and instructional strategies for primary school learners with specific learning disabilities.
Inclusive Education
Principles and practices of inclusive education at primary level, including curriculum adaptation and differentiated instruction.
Emotional and Behavioural Disorders
Understanding and supporting primary school learners with emotional and behavioural disorders in educational settings.
Physical, Neurological and Health Impairments
Teaching strategies and accommodations for primary school learners with physical, neurological, and health impairments.

A day as a student

A typical day combines primary education courses with special needs education training. Morning sessions may cover child development, curriculum studies, or general teaching methods, while afternoons focus on inclusive education, specific disability studies, or assistive technology training. Practical sessions in the university's special education resource room provide hands-on experience with braille, sign language, and adaptive equipment. Teaching practice includes placements in both mainstream primary schools and special education units, applying inclusive teaching strategies across the primary curriculum.

The trade offs

In its favour

Dual qualification in primary teaching and special needs education positions graduates for high-demand roles in inclusive education.
Growing demand for special needs primary teachers as Kenya implements inclusive education policies and the competency-based curriculum.
Available in school-based mode, making it accessible to in-service P1 teachers seeking to upgrade with special needs expertise.
Graduates are eligible for TSC registration and employment in both mainstream primary schools and special education settings.

Against it

Working with children with special needs can be emotionally demanding, requiring significant patience and resilience.
Special education resources and assistive technology may be limited in some Kenyan primary schools, posing practical challenges.
Limited number of universities offer this specific programme, reducing institutional choice.
The programme is more demanding than a standard primary education degree, requiring mastery of both primary pedagogy and special needs education.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 243 education courses

Public184k to 245k

184k at Pwani University245k at Kenyatta University

Private110k to 152k

110k at Mount Kenya University152k at Kenya Methodist University

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

Pwani 183,600/yr; KU 244,800/yr; MKU 110,000/yr; KeMU 152,000/yr. Src: educationnewshub.co.ke

Government-sponsored students receive fee subsidies through KUCCPS placement. HELB loans are available for eligible students. Employed P1 teachers may access study leave with pay through the Teachers Service Commission. Universities also offer internal bursaries for financially needy students.

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
KUCCPS Government Sponsorship
Teachers Service Commission Study Leave
University Internal Bursaries

Scholarships

5 recorded

University Internal Bursaries
University bursaryKenyan
Registered students demonstrating financial need. Application through the respective university financial aid office.
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
Government loanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities through KUCCPS or self-sponsored. Must demonstrate financial need.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
Government subsidyKenyan
Kenyan students who meet KUCCPS cluster cut-off points and are placed in the programme through the central placement system.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties pursuing undergraduate studies
TSC Teacher Training Support
BursaryKenyan
Teachers and trainee teachers in recognised institutions

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+ (Plus)
Alternative entry: KCSE mean grade of C (Plain) with a KNEC Diploma in Special Needs Education from a recognised institution; OR KACE with two principal passes and one subsidiary; OR a P1 or S1 certificate with a Diploma in Special Needs Education from a recognised institution.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Coursework30% of the mark
Regular written tests, assignments, practical assessments, and micro-teaching evaluations conducted during the semester.
End of Semester Examinations
Examination60% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations covering both primary education content and special needs education courses.
Teaching Practice Assessment
Practical100% of the mark
Supervised assessment of classroom teaching in both mainstream and special education settings during the teaching practice attachment.
Research Project
Research100% of the mark
Final-year independent research project at the intersection of special needs education and primary teaching, culminating in a written dissertation.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE), the statutory body responsible for quality assurance and regulation of university education in Kenya. Graduates are eligible for registration with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) for employment in public primary and special schools.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
CUE is the statutory body responsible for the accreditation and quality assurance of university programmes in Kenya.
Teachers Service Commission (TSC)
Professional registrationRequired
TSC is the government body responsible for registering and employing teachers in Kenyan public schools. Graduates must register with TSC to be employed as teachers.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Primary School Teacher
High demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 65,000
Teaches in primary schools with expertise in supporting learners with special educational needs in inclusive classrooms.
Special Education Teacher
High demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 80,000
Works in special schools or units, providing specialised instruction for primary school learners with disabilities.
Inclusive Education Coordinator
Moderate demandKsh 38,000 to Ksh 90,000
Coordinates inclusive education programmes in primary schools, supporting teachers in adapting curricula and accommodating diverse learners.
Resource Teacher
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 80,000
Provides specialised support and resources for learners with special needs in mainstream primary school settings.
Educational Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 38,000 to Ksh 90,000
Advises schools and organisations on inclusive education practices, special needs assessment, and curriculum adaptation.
Teacher Trainer
Moderate demandKsh 42,000 to Ksh 100,000
Trains pre-service or in-service teachers in special needs education and inclusive teaching methodologies at primary level.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as primary school teachers with special needs expertise and special education teachers. Demand is high due to Kenya's commitment to inclusive education and the shortage of qualified special needs teachers in primary schools.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Office
ProductivityPrimary
Word processing, presentations, and spreadsheets for lesson preparation, IEP documentation, and educational administration.
Google Classroom
Learning managementPrimary
Online learning platform for managing assignments, sharing adapted resources, and communicating with diverse learners.
Boardmaker
Assistive technology
Software for creating visual supports and communication boards for learners with communication difficulties.
JAWS Screen Reader
Assistive technology
Screen reading software for visually impaired learners, enabling access to digital learning materials.
Canva
Design
Design tool for creating visual teaching aids, worksheets, and adapted educational materials for diverse learners.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Special needs education is only for teachers who cannot handle mainstream classes.
Special needs education requires additional expertise, patience, and specialised skills that go beyond mainstream teaching, making it a specialised and respected field.
Children with special needs cannot learn in primary school settings.
With appropriate adaptations, assistive technology, and differentiated instruction, children with special needs can learn effectively in inclusive primary classrooms.
There are limited career opportunities in special needs primary education.
Demand for qualified special needs primary teachers is growing rapidly as Kenya implements inclusive education policies and expands special education programmes.
This programme is only for P1 teachers seeking to upgrade their qualifications.
While many P1 teachers use this programme for upgrading, it is also open to pre-service students who wish to specialise in special needs primary education from the start.