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Diploma in Secondary Teacher Education (Agriculture and Business Studies)

The Diploma in Secondary Teacher Education (Agriculture and Business Studies) is a KNEC-examined programme that prepares trainees to teach agriculture and business studies in secondary schools. The programme is accredited by the Ministry of Education and examined by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC).

Duration
3 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 67,189
Ksh 201,567 total
Private tuition
Ksh 46,580
Ksh 139,740 total
Job market
High
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 67,189 a year at a public institution, Ksh 201,567 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 46,580 a year at a private one.The detail
Who can get in
A KCSE mean grade of C or above, plus 2 subject grades. There is another way in without it.The detail
How long, and when
Takes 3 years, full-time, with 6 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 3 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

Trainees develop competencies in professional studies, agriculture content, business studies content, practical pedagogy, special needs education, and ICT integration. The curriculum combines coursework with extensive teaching practice and practical farm and business activities.

Kenya's education sector under the Competency Based Curriculum emphasises practical and entrepreneurial subjects. Agriculture and business studies are key components of the senior school curriculum, creating demand for qualified teachers.

The course is delivered through classroom sessions, practical farm work, micro-teaching, and supervised teaching practice. Trainees develop both subject mastery and pedagogical skills for effective practical subjects teaching.

Graduates qualify to teach agriculture and business studies in secondary schools and are eligible for employment by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC). The programme provides a foundation for progression to Bachelor of Education.

This programme is suitable for individuals with a KCSE mean grade of C (plain) who aspire to become secondary school teachers with a practical and entrepreneurial focus.

What you study

8 subjects
  • Professional Studies
  • Crop Production
  • Livestock Production
  • Agricultural Economics
  • Business Studies
  • Accounting
  • Practical Pedagogy
  • ICT in Education

Modules

8 in the programme

  • Professional Studies I

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Introduces educational psychology, learning theories, adolescent development, and principles of teaching and learning.

  • Crop Production for Secondary Teaching

    Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore

    Covers crop science, production techniques, soil management, and teaching methodology for secondary school agriculture.

  • Livestock Production for Secondary Teaching

    Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore

    Covers livestock management, animal health, nutrition, and teaching methodology for secondary school agriculture.

  • Business Studies for Secondary Teaching

    Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore

    Covers business environment, entrepreneurship, commerce, and teaching methodology for secondary school business studies.

  • Accounting Principles for Teaching

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Covers accounting principles, bookkeeping, financial statements, and teaching methodology for secondary accounting.

  • Agricultural Economics

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Covers agricultural economics principles, farm management, marketing, and teaching methodology.

  • Special Needs Education

    Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore

    Introduces special needs education and inclusive teaching practices.

  • ICT Integration in Education

    Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore

    Develops skills in integrating ICT tools into agriculture and business teaching.

Specialisations

  • Crop Science Teaching

    Focuses on teaching crop production and soil science in secondary schools.

  • Livestock Science Teaching

    Specialises in teaching livestock production and animal health.

  • Business Studies Teaching

    Covers teaching business studies and entrepreneurship.

  • Accounting Education

    Focuses on teaching accounting and financial management.

A day as a student

A typical day includes morning agriculture content covering crop or livestock production, followed by afternoon business studies sessions on accounting or entrepreneurship, and pedagogy workshops where trainees practise lesson planning and practical demonstrations.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
Both subjects are practical and entrepreneurial, aligning with CBC priorities.Agriculture practicals require farm maintenance and outdoor work.
TSC employment provides job security and pension benefits.Managing school farms adds responsibilities beyond classroom teaching.
Clear progression to Bachelor of 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
Public67k to 67k
67k at Kagumo Teachers Training College67k at Baringo Teachers Training College
Private47k to 47k
47k at MIT Teachers Training College47k at MIT Teachers Training College

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

Public TTC 67,189/yr (KUCCPS). Private: MIT TTC 46.6K/yr (mitttc.ac.ke).

HELB loans, KUCCPS capitation, and county bursaries are available for eligible students.

Funding options

  • HELB Loan

  • KUCCPS Government Capitation

  • County Bursary

Scholarships

2 recorded

  • HELB Loan

    LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan

    Kenyan students in teacher training colleges

  • KUCCPS Government Capitation

    ScholarshipKsh 30,000Kenyan

    KUCCPS-placed students in public teacher training colleges

Scholarships you could apply for

1 usable where it is taught
Save one and be reminded before it closes

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade
Cminimum entry
Alternative entry

KCSE C- (minus) for candidates with disabilities.

Subject requirements
MathematicsC-
EnglishC-

When it next starts

Taught at 3 institutions
January 20273 institutions

Including Kibabii Diploma Teachers Training College, Kagumo Teachers Training College, Lugari Diploma Teachers Training College.

May 20273 institutions

Including Kibabii Diploma Teachers Training College, Kagumo Teachers Training College, Lugari Diploma Teachers Training College.

September 20273 institutions

Including Kibabii Diploma Teachers Training College, Kagumo Teachers Training College, Lugari Diploma Teachers Training College.

How you are assessed

3 components

  • KNEC Year I Summative Assessment

    Written examination70% of the mark

    Year I summative assessment covering professional studies and subject content.

  • KNEC Year II Summative Assessment

    Written examination70% of the mark

    Year II summative assessment covering advanced content and pedagogy.

  • Teaching Practice Assessment

    Practicum30% of the mark

    Assessment of teaching practice in secondary schools.

Accreditation

  • Kenya National Examinations Council

    AcademicRequired

    KNEC examines and certifies the Diploma in Secondary Teacher Education (Agriculture and Business Studies).

  • Ministry of Education

    AcademicRequired

    Ministry of Education regulates teacher training colleges.

Examined by KNEC and regulated by the Ministry of Education. Curriculum designs developed by KICD. Graduates must register with TSC.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

  • Secondary School Agriculture Teacher

    High demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 65,000

    Teaches agriculture in secondary schools with practical farm and theory components.

  • Secondary School Business Studies Teacher

    High demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 65,000

    Teaches business studies and accounting in secondary schools.

  • Private School Teacher

    High demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 55,000

    Teaches agriculture and business studies in private secondary schools.

  • School Farm Manager

    Moderate demandKsh 38,000 to Ksh 60,000

    Manages school farm operations while teaching agriculture.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates qualify to teach agriculture and business studies in secondary schools and are eligible for TSC employment.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Common misconceptions

  • Agriculture teaching is just farming.

    Agriculture education involves scientific principles, economics, and pedagogy beyond basic farming.

  • Business studies is not a serious teaching subject.

    Business studies develops financial literacy and entrepreneurial skills essential for the modern economy.

  • Diploma teachers cannot teach in secondary schools.

    Diploma teachers are professionally qualified and TSC-registered for secondary teaching.

  • This combination has limited job opportunities.

    Both agriculture and business are popular elective subjects in secondary schools.

Further reading

Read next