Education

Bachelor of Education in Physical Education and Recreation

The Bachelor of Education in Physical Education and Recreation is a four-year programme that prepares students for teaching physical education and managing recreation programmes in educational institutions. Students study physical education theory, recreation management, sports science, education theory, teaching methods and curriculum development. The programme combines PE teaching with recreation management, preparing graduates who can deliver both curriculum PE and recreational programmes.

Students develop competencies in physical education teaching, recreation programme management, sports science, curriculum development, outdoor education, educational assessment and health promotion. They learn to teach PE, organise recreational activities, manage leisure programmes and promote healthy lifestyles. The programme covers both PE content and recreation management with teaching practice in educational settings.

In Kenya, recreation and leisure education is growing in importance as schools recognise the value of holistic learner development. The Competency-Based Curriculum emphasises physical activity and wellbeing. TSC employs PE teachers. Kenya's tourism and hospitality sector also creates opportunities for recreation professionals. Graduates find roles in secondary schools, recreational facilities, tourism organisations and educational institutions.

Teaching is delivered through lectures, practical PE sessions, recreation activities, teaching practice, micro-teaching and research projects. Students develop recreation programmes, teach PE classes, organise leisure activities and undertake teaching practice. The programme includes a final-year research project.

Graduates pursue careers as PE and recreation teachers, recreation officers, sports coordinators, outdoor education instructors and community recreation coordinators. Some work in secondary schools teaching PE and managing recreation. Others join recreational facilities, tourism organisations or community programmes.

This programme is ideal for individuals with physical fitness, organisational skills and passion for recreation and education. Students who enjoy sports, outdoor activities and education will find this programme particularly engaging.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 244,800
Job market: Low

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 30 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Anatomy and Physiology for Physical Education
Recreation Programme Planning and Management
Sports Science and Kinesiology
Educational Psychology and Learning Theory
Teaching Methods for Physical Education
Curriculum Development for PE and Recreation
Outdoor Education and Adventure Activities
Health Education and Wellness Promotion
Leisure Studies and Recreation Theory
Research Methods in Physical Education and Recreation

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Education
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundations of education including philosophy, history and sociology of education
Anatomy and Physiology for PE
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Anatomy and Physiology for PE: Human anatomy and physiology relevant to physical education and recreation Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Introduction to Recreation and Leisure Studies
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Introduction to Recreation and Leisure Studies: Foundations of recreation, leisure theory and the role of recreation in society Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-...
Educational Psychology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Educational Psychology: Psychological principles of learning and development in physical education Covers theoretical frameworks, research methods, and practical applications in psychology.
Sports Science and Kinesiology
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Sports Science and Kinesiology: Movement science, biomechanics and physical activity principles Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Teaching Methods for PE and Recreation
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Teaching Methods for PE and Recreation: Teaching strategies for PE and recreation programme facilitation in schools Covers instructional strategies, assessment methods, and educational theory.
Recreation Programme Planning and Management
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Planning, designing and managing recreation programmes for schools and communities
Outdoor Education and Adventure Activities
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Outdoor Education and Adventure Activities: Outdoor education, adventure activities, camping and environmental education Covers instructional strategies, assessment methods, and educational theory.
Curriculum Development for PE and Recreation
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Curriculum Development for PE and Recreation: Curriculum design for PE and recreation and CBC implementation Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Health Education and Wellness Promotion
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Health Education and Wellness Promotion: Health education, wellness promotion and healthy lifestyle programmes Covers instructional strategies, assessment methods, and educational theory.
Research Project
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Research Project: Independent research on PE and recreation producing a scholarly dissertation Involves independent research, data analysis, and scholarly writing under supervision.
Teaching Practice and Recreation Attachment
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Supervised teaching practice and recreation programme attachment in educational settings

Specialisations

Sports Coaching
Specialization in Sports Coaching, preparing graduates for careers such as pe-sports-coach. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Community Recreation
Specialization in Community Recreation, preparing graduates for careers such as pe-sports-coach. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Health and Wellness Promotion
Specialization in Health and Wellness Promotion, preparing graduates for careers such as physical-education-teacher.
Outdoor Education
Specialization in Outdoor Education, preparing graduates for careers such as physical-education-teacher.
Curriculum Development
Specialization in Curriculum Development, preparing graduates for careers such as curriculum-developer.
Recreation Programme Management
Specialization in Recreation Programme Management, preparing graduates for careers such as physical-education-teacher.

A day as a student

A typical day combines morning lectures on recreation theory or PE with afternoon practical sessions, outdoor activities or teaching practice. Students may develop recreation programmes, teach PE classes, organise leisure activities or work on outdoor education projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

Combines teaching with recreation management skills
Relevant to Kenya's tourism and hospitality sector
Diverse career paths in education, recreation and tourism
Opportunity to promote healthy lifestyles

Against it

Recreation teaching positions may be limited in some schools
May require additional certifications for tourism-specific roles
Some may view recreation as less important than competitive sports
Recreation facilities and equipment may be limited in some schools

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

Public245k to 245k

245k at University of Eldoret245k at University of Eldoret

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

UoEldoret 244,800/yr (KUCCPS). Sole public provider. Private unverified.

Students may access HELB loans and county bursaries. Some recreational facilities and tourism organisations offer attachment opportunities.

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
LoanKsh 60,000
National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF)
Bursary
County Government Bursaries
Bursary

Scholarships

4 recorded

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students placed by KUCCPS in public universities
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+
Alternative entry: Relevant diploma or equivalent qualification

English
C+
Mathematics A/B or any Group II
C
Any Group III subject
C+
Any Group III, IV or V subject
C+

How you are assessed

4 components

Final Examination
Coursework40% of the mark
Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)
Coursework25% of the mark
Practical Sessions, Recreation Programmes and Teaching Practice
Coursework35% of the mark
Research Project
Coursework100% of the mark

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). TSC registration is required for teaching in public schools in Kenya.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
InstitutionalRequired
Teachers Service Commission (TSC)
InstitutionalRequired

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Recreation Officer
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 120,000
Manages recreation programmes in facilities, communities or organisations
Outdoor Education Instructor
Low demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 110,000
Provides outdoor education and adventure activities in schools or camps
Sports Coordinator
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 130,000
Coordinates sports and recreation programmes in schools or institutions
PE and Recreation Teacher
Low demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 110,000
Teaches PE and manages recreation programmes in secondary schools
Community Recreation Coordinator
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 120,000
Coordinates community recreation programmes and leisure activities

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as PE and recreation teachers, recreation officers, sports coordinators, outdoor education instructors and community recreation coordinators in secondary schools, recreational facilities, tourism organisations and educational institutions.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Excel
SoftwarePrimary
Spreadsheet for educational data management, extension planning and IT project tracking.
PowerPoint
SoftwarePrimary
Presentation tool for teaching, farmer training and extension education sessions.
SPSS
Software
Statistical analysis software for educational and extension research.
Google Classroom
Software
Learning management system for agricultural education and online teaching.
KoboToolbox
Software
Mobile data collection tool for field surveys and extension needs assessment.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Recreation is just about having fun
Recreation management involves programme planning, facility management, safety protocols and health promotion.
PE and recreation is not a serious career
The programme combines professional teaching with recreation management skills for diverse career paths.
There are limited jobs in recreation
Kenya's tourism, hospitality and education sectors offer recreation career opportunities.
Recreation is only relevant in tourism
Recreation is important in schools, communities, corporate wellness and public health programmes.