Diploma in Educational Leadership and Management
The Diploma in Educational Leadership and Management is a professional development programme offered by the Kenya Education Management Institute (KEMI) for practising and aspiring education managers.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 153,500 a year at a public institution, Ksh 153,500 for the whole course.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of C or above. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 1 year (blended learning), blended, online, with 4 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 7 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Early Childhood Strategist, at 10 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
The curriculum covers eight modules plus an action research project. Skills RequiredEducation Law and PolicyInstitutional Resource ManagementCurriculum Delivery LeadershipICT Integration in EducationFinancial Management in SchoolsHuman Resource ManagementChild-Friendly School LeadershipGuidance and Counselling AdministrationAction ResearchEducation Policy ImplementationKey SubjectsEducation Law, Policy and ReformsTransforming Education LeadershipInstitutional Resource Leadership and ManagementEffective Leadership for Child-Friendly SchoolsICT Integration in EducationCurriculum Delivery LeadershipScience, Technology and Innovation LeadershipGuidance and Counselling for Education InstitutionsAction Research in EducationFinancial Management in EducationCertificationsKEMI Diploma in Educational Leadership and ManagementKenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) RecognitionSpecializationsSchool LeadershipLeading and managing school institutions including strategic planning, staff management, and school improvement. Education Policy and LawUnderstanding and implementing education laws, policies, and reforms in institutional management. Institutional Resource ManagementManaging financial, human, and physical resources in educational institutions.
The programme is delivered through blended learning (face-to-face and online), making it accessible to serving teachers and education managers across Kenya.
KEMI, established under Sessional Paper No. 1 of 2005, is the mandated body for professional development of all education managers in Kenya.
The programme includes 57 units across 8 modules, each unit comprising 16 hours of study, plus a 4-month action research project (160 hours).
Graduates are equipped for roles as school principals, deputy principals, head teachers, and education officers, with the diploma serving as a prerequisite for senior management positions in Kenya's education sector.
What you study
10 subjects- Education Law, Policy and Reforms
- Transforming Education Leadership
- Institutional Resource Leadership and Management
- Effective Leadership for Child-Friendly Schools
- ICT Integration in Education
- Curriculum Delivery Leadership
- Science, Technology and Innovation Leadership
- Guidance and Counselling for Education Institutions
- Action Research in Education
- Financial Management in Education
Modules
10 in the programmeEffective Leadership for Child-Friendly Schools
Year 1Semester 116 creditsCore
Module on creating safe, inclusive, and child-friendly learning for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Leadership in ICT Integration in Education
Year 1Semester 116 creditsCore
Module on integrating ICT in teaching, learning, and school management for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Education Law, Policy and Reforms
Year 1Semester 116 creditsCore
Module covering education legal frameworks, policy formulation for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Transforming Education Leadership
Year 1Semester 116 creditsCore
Module on leadership theories, transformational leadership, and their for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Institutional Resource Leadership and Management
Year 1Semester 116 creditsCore
Module covering financial management, human resource management for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Action Research Project
Year 1Semester 110 creditsCore
Four-month action research project (160 hours) applying management concepts for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Leadership in Science, Technology and Innovations
Year 1Semester 116 creditsCore
Module on promoting STEM education, technology adoption, and innovation in for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Guidance and Counselling for Education Institutions
Year 1Semester 116 creditsCore
Module on establishing and managing guidance and counselling programmes in for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Communication Skills
Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore
Written and oral communication skills for professional workplace communication and effective correspondence.
Leadership in Curriculum Delivery
Year 1Semester 116 creditsCore
Module on curriculum supervision, instructional leadership, and quality for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Specialisations
School Leadership
Leading and managing school institutions including strategic planning, staff management, and school improvement, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Education Policy and Law
Understanding and implementing education laws, policies, and reforms in institutional management, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Institutional Resource Management
Managing financial, human, and physical resources in educational institutions, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Curriculum Delivery Leadership
Supervising and supporting curriculum implementation and instructional quality in schools, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
A day as a student
The blended learning format combines online self-study with periodic face-to-face sessions at KEMI or designated centres. Students work through module materials, complete assignments, participate in online discussions, and attend residential sessions. The action research project involves applying management concepts in the student's own school setting.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| TSC-recognised qualification required for promotion to school leadership positions. | Requires prior teaching experience and is not open to direct KCSE leavers. |
| Blended learning format allows serving teachers to study while working. | Only offered through KEMI, limiting institution choice. |
| Affordable at KSH 33,000 for the full programme, with TSC sponsorship available. | — |
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 243 education coursesAnnual 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
KEMI 33K total, KU 153.5K/yr; private unverified (kemi.ac.ke, kenyaeducationguide.com)
Serving teachers may receive TSC sponsorship. County government bursaries and school management board sponsorships are also available.
Funding options
TSC Sponsorship for Serving Teachers
County Government Education Bursaries
School Management Board Sponsorship
Scholarships
3 recordedTSC Sponsorship
GrantKsh 33,000Kenyan
Serving teachers nominated by TSC for education management training.
School Board Sponsorship
GrantKsh 33,000Kenyan
Teachers sponsored by their school management boards for professional development.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 20,000Kenyan
Needy students from respective counties.
Scholarships you could apply for
8 usable where it is taught- Equity Group Foundation Wings to Fly
Closes 28 February 2027FullEquity Bank
Full secondary + university
- Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship
Closes 31 March 2027FullAga Khan Foundation
Full university study
- KCB Foundation Scholarship
Closes 31 March 2027FullKCB Bank
Full tuition + stipend
- Family Bank Foundation Education Support
Closes 30 June 2027PartialFamily Bank
KES 80,000 per year
- HELB Undergraduate Scholarship
Closes 31 July 2027PartialHigher Education Loans Board
KES 40,000 to 60,000 per year
- County Government Scholarships
Varies by countyPartialCounty Governments
KES 50,000 to 200,000 per year
- Kenyatta University Scholarship
Before semesterPartialKenyatta University
30 to 50% tuition waiver
- Moringa School Craftbyte Scholarship
QuarterlyFullMoringa School
Full software development course
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
P1 certificate or equivalent with at least two years of teaching experience. Open to serving teachers and education managers at all levels.
When it next starts
Taught at 7 institutionsIncluding Management University of Africa, Tangaza University, St. Paul's University.
Including Management University of Africa, St. Paul's University, International Leadership University.
Including Management University of Africa, Tangaza University, St. Paul's University.
How you are assessed
3 componentsModule Assignments
Coursework40% of the mark
Written assignments completed for each of the 8 modules, submitted through the KEMI learning platform.
Action Research Project
Project30% of the mark
Four-month action research project addressing a real management challenge in the student's institution.
Final Examination
Examination30% of the mark
Comprehensive examination covering all eight modules, administered by KEMI.
Accreditation
Kenya Education Management Institute (KEMI)
Academic accreditationRequired
State corporation mandated to provide professional development for all education managers in Kenya.
Teachers Service Commission (TSC)
Professional recognitionRequired
Recognises the KEMI diploma as a requirement for education management positions in public schools.
Offered and examined by the Kenya Education Management Institute (KEMI), a state corporation under the Ministry of Education. The programme is recognised by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA).
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesSchool Principal
High demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 120,000
Leads and manages secondary or primary schools, overseeing academic performance, staff management, and institutional resources.
Deputy Principal
High demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 100,000
Assists the principal in school management, often overseeing academic programmes and student discipline.
Head of Department
High demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 80,000
Manages academic departments in secondary schools, supervising teachers and curriculum delivery.
Education Officer
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 95,000
Works with county or national education offices to supervise and support schools in a jurisdiction.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates are equipped for school principal, deputy principal, head teacher, and education officer roles, with the diploma being a TSC requirement for education management positions.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Early Childhood StrategistEducation10Low exposure
- Overhead Transmission TechnicianEngineering10Low exposure
- Special Needs EducatorEducation10Low exposure
- Career Guidance CounselorEducation11Low exposure
- Desalination Systems EngineerEngineering14Low exposure
- District Cooling EngineerEngineering14Low exposure
- Early Literacy SpecialistEducation14Low exposure
- HighVoltage Substation EngineerEngineering14Low exposure
Tools you will learn
School Management Information Systems
SoftwarePrimary
Digital platforms for school administration, student records, and performance tracking.
Action Research Methods
MethodologyPrimary
Participatory research approaches for identifying and solving institutional management challenges.
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Educational management is only for head teachers.
The diploma is relevant for all education managers including deputy heads, heads of department, senior teachers, and those aspiring to leadership roles.
You need a master's degree to be a school manager.
The KEMI diploma is the recognised professional qualification for school leadership in Kenya, required by TSC for management positions.
The programme is only for primary school teachers.
The diploma is designed for managers across all education levels, from pre-primary to secondary and technical institutions.
Educational management training is unnecessary for experienced teachers.
Teaching skills and management skills are distinct competencies. The KEMI diploma fills the management gap that classroom training does not address.