Education

Bachelor of Education in Primary Education

The Bachelor of Education in Primary Education is a four-year degree programme that prepares graduates to teach in primary schools. The programme equips students with pedagogical skills, subject knowledge, and practical teaching experience for early years and primary education.

The curriculum covers educational foundations, educational psychology, curriculum development, teaching methodology, assessment and evaluation, child development, educational technology, special needs education, and supervised teaching practice in primary schools.

Students develop skills in lesson planning, classroom management, child-centred teaching, formative assessment, curriculum design, and the integration of technology in primary education. The programme includes supervised teaching practice attachments in primary schools.

Graduates pursue careers as primary school teachers, curriculum developers, education officers, school administrators, and education consultants. Employment opportunities exist in public and private primary schools, international schools, and educational organisations.

The programme is offered at Africa Nazarene University, a private university in Nairobi. Admission requires a KCSE mean grade of C+ with C+ in two teaching subjects. The programme runs for eight semesters including supervised teaching practice.

Accreditation is provided by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Annual tuition is approximately KES 227,500 at Africa Nazarene University. HELB loans and government bursaries are available for eligible students.

Duration: 4 Years
Public, up to: Ksh 183,600
Private, up to: Ksh 110,000
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, School-based, Online
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 35 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Educational Foundations
Educational Psychology
Curriculum Development
Teaching Methodology
Child Development
Assessment and Evaluation
Inclusive Education
Educational Research
Educational Management
Primary School Subject Content

Modules

12 in the programme

Educational Psychology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Theories of learning, child development, and motivation applied to primary education.
Educational Foundations
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Educational Foundations: Philosophical, sociological, and historical foundations of education in Kenya. Covers instructional strategies, assessment methods, and educational theory.
Curriculum Development
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Principles of curriculum design, the Kenyan CBC curriculum, and competency-based assessment.
Teaching Methodology for Primary Education
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Child-centred teaching methods, active learning, and differentiated instruction for primary classrooms.
Child Development
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development of primary school children.
Assessment and Evaluation
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Formative and summative assessment techniques, competency-based assessment, and reporting.
Primary School Literacy and Numeracy Teaching
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Methods for teaching reading, writing, and mathematics in primary schools under CBC.
Inclusive Education
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Strategies for supporting learners with diverse needs in mainstream primary classrooms.
Primary School Science and Social Studies
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Content and pedagogy for teaching science and social studies at the primary level.
Educational Research Methods
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Research design, data collection, and analysis methods applied to primary education research.
Educational Management and Leadership
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Educational Management and Leadership: School administration, leadership theories, and management of primary schools. Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Teaching Practice and Research Project
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
Supervised teaching practice at a primary school and a final-year research project.

Specialisations

Early Childhood Education
Focus on teaching methodologies and child development for early years of primary school. 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.
Upper Primary Education
Focus on subject-specific teaching for upper primary school grades under the CBC curriculum. 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.
Special Needs Education
Focus on inclusive education practices and supporting learners with diverse needs in primary classrooms.
Primary School Science and Mathematics
Focus on teaching science and mathematics at the primary school level. 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.
Primary School Languages and Literacy
Focus on teaching English, Kiswahili, and literacy skills in primary schools. 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.

A day as a student

A typical day combines education lectures, teaching methodology sessions, and subject content workshops. Morning sessions cover educational psychology, child development, and curriculum studies, while afternoons focus on micro-teaching, lesson planning, and teaching practice preparation. Students participate in teaching practice at primary schools, developing practical classroom skills for the CBC environment.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand for qualified primary teachers with Kenya's CBC reform agenda.
Multiple study modes including school-based and distance learning for working teachers.
P1 certificate holders can get up to one year of exemptions.
Graduates can work in both teaching and education administration roles.

Against it

Only offered at Africa Nazarene University (private), limiting choice and increasing cost.
KES 227,500/year is significantly higher than public university B.Ed programmes.
Primary teachers generally earn less than secondary school teachers.
Requires broad knowledge across multiple primary school subjects.

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

Public110k to 184k

110k at Garissa University184k at Kenyatta University

Private110k to 110k

110k at Mount Kenya University110k at Mount Kenya 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

Garissa 109,650/yr; KU 183,600/yr; MKU 110,000/yr (official fee structures/KUCCPS).

HELB loans and Higher Education Fund (HEF) support are available for qualifying Kenyan students. County government bursaries may also be available.

Funding options

HELB Undergraduate Loan
Loan
Kenyan citizens enrolled in accredited undergraduate programmes
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
Scholarship
Needy students placed by KUCCPS in public universities
County Government Bursaries
Bursary
Kenyan students from respective counties demonstrating financial need

Scholarships

4 recorded

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
Government loanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities. Must demonstrate financial need.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
Government fundingKenyan
Kenyan students in public universities under the new funding model based on financial need assessment.
County Government Bursaries
Government bursaryKenyan
Kenyan students from respective counties demonstrating financial need.
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 C- (Minus) with a P1 certificate and a Diploma in Education; OR KCSE C (Plain) with a P1 certificate; OR KCSE C- (Minus) or D+ (Plus) with a KNEC certificate and a Diploma. P1 certificate holders get up to one year exemption depending on O-level and P1 qualifications. Diploma holders with credit get up to two years exemption.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests and Assignments
Coursework30% of the mark
Written tests, lesson plan evaluations, micro-teaching assessments, and project assignments throughout the semester.
Teaching Practice Assessment
Practical20% of the mark
Supervised teaching practice at a partner primary school with assessment of classroom performance.
End of Semester Examinations
Examination50% of the mark
Written examinations covering all course content for the semester.
Research Project
Project100% of the mark
A final-year research project investigating a relevant primary education issue.

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) as primary school teachers.

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.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Primary School Teacher
High demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 120,000
Teaches in public or private primary schools under the CBC curriculum.
Curriculum Developer (Primary)
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 180,000
Designs and evaluates primary school curricula at KICD or educational organisations.
Education Officer (Primary)
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 170,000
Works in government education offices supporting primary education supervision and policy.
School Administrator (Primary)
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 160,000
Manages primary school operations, supervises staff, and oversees educational programmes.
Education Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 200,000
Advises schools and organisations on primary education strategies and CBC implementation.
Education Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 180,000
Conducts research on primary education issues, contributing to policy and practice.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as primary school teachers, curriculum developers, and education officers. Demand is high with Kenya's CBC reform and the need for qualified primary teachers.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Google Classroom
Learning managementPrimary
Learning management platform for organising classes, assignments, and parent communication.
Microsoft PowerPoint
PresentationPrimary
Presentation tool for lesson delivery and creating instructional materials for primary learners.
Khan Academy
Educational resource
Free online educational resource for maths and science content used in primary teaching.
Microsoft Excel
Data analysis
Spreadsheet tool for assessment record-keeping and student progress tracking.
Canva
Design
Design tool for creating visual teaching aids, worksheets, and classroom displays.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Primary education teaching is less demanding than secondary teaching.
Primary teachers must master multiple subjects and foundational pedagogy, requiring broad knowledge and specialised child development expertise.
A primary education degree limits you to only teaching.
Graduates can work as curriculum developers, education officers, school administrators, and education consultants.
This programme is only for P1 certificate holders upgrading.
While P1 holders can apply with exemptions, the programme is open to all students meeting KCSE C+ requirements.
Private university degrees are not recognised by TSC.
Africa Nazarene University is CUE-accredited and graduates are eligible for TSC registration.