Diploma in Secondary Teacher Education (Science)
The Diploma in Secondary Teacher Education (Science) is a KNEC-examined programme that prepares trainees to teach science subjects in secondary schools. The programme is accredited by the Ministry of Education and examined by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC).
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 3 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, science subject content (biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics), pedagogy, special needs education, and ICT integration in education. The curriculum combines coursework with extensive teaching practice in secondary schools.
Kenya's education sector is implementing the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC), creating demand for qualified science teachers at the junior and senior secondary levels. The programme supports the government's STEM education priorities.
The course is delivered through classroom sessions, laboratory practicals, micro-teaching, and supervised teaching practice. Trainees develop both subject mastery and pedagogical skills for effective science teaching.
Graduates qualify to teach science subjects 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 (Science).
This programme is suitable for individuals with a KCSE mean grade of C (plain) with strong science subjects who aspire to become secondary school science teachers.
What you study
8 subjects- Professional Studies
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Science Pedagogy
- Special Needs Education
- ICT in Education
Modules
8 in the programmeProfessional Studies I
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduces educational psychology, learning theories, adolescent development, and principles of teaching and learning.
Biology for Secondary Teaching
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Covers biology content and teaching methodology for secondary school biology instruction.
Chemistry for Secondary Teaching
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Covers chemistry content, laboratory techniques, and teaching methodology for secondary school chemistry.
Physics for Secondary Teaching
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Covers physics content, practical work, and teaching methodology for secondary school physics.
Mathematics for Secondary Teaching
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Develops mathematical content and pedagogy for teaching mathematics in secondary schools.
Special Needs Education
Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore
Introduces special needs education and inclusive teaching practices for secondary classrooms.
ICT Integration in Education
Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore
Develops skills in integrating ICT tools into secondary school science teaching.
Guidance and Counselling
Year 1Semester 12 creditsElective
Introduces guidance and counselling principles for supporting secondary school students.
Specialisations
Biology and Chemistry
Focuses on teaching biology and chemistry in secondary schools.
Physics and Mathematics
Specialises in teaching physics and mathematics in secondary schools.
Mathematics and Chemistry
Covers teaching mathematics and chemistry in secondary schools.
Biology and Mathematics
Focuses on teaching biology and mathematics in secondary schools.
A day as a student
A typical day includes morning science content sessions covering biology, chemistry, or physics, followed by afternoon professional studies and pedagogy sessions where trainees practise lesson planning, laboratory management, and science teaching methods.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Science teachers are in high demand under Kenya's CBC and STEM priorities. | Managing science laboratories requires additional time and effort. |
| TSC employment provides job security and pension benefits. | Large class sizes can make practical science lessons challenging. |
| Clear progression to Bachelor of Education (Science). | — |
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
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 recordedHELB 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- Moringa School Craftbyte Scholarship
QuarterlyFullMoringa School
Full software development course
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
KCSE C- (minus) for candidates with disabilities.
When it next starts
Taught at 3 institutionsIncluding Kagumo Teachers Training College, Kibabii Diploma Teachers Training College, Lugari Diploma Teachers Training College.
Including Kagumo Teachers Training College, Kibabii Diploma Teachers Training College, Lugari Diploma Teachers Training College.
Including Kagumo Teachers Training College, Kibabii Diploma Teachers Training College, Lugari Diploma Teachers Training College.
How you are assessed
3 componentsKNEC Year I Summative Assessment
Written examination70% of the mark
Year I summative assessment covering professional studies and science content.
KNEC Year II Summative Assessment
Written examination70% of the mark
Year II summative assessment covering advanced science 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 (Science).
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 rolesSecondary School Science Teacher
High demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 65,000
Teaches biology, chemistry, physics, or mathematics in secondary schools.
STEM Educator
High demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 60,000
Promotes STEM education in secondary schools under the CBC framework.
Laboratory Coordinator
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 55,000
Manages science laboratories and supports practical teaching in secondary schools.
Private School Science Teacher
High demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 55,000
Teaches science subjects in private secondary schools.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates qualify to teach science subjects in secondary schools and are eligible for TSC employment.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Early Childhood StrategistEducation10Low exposure
- Special Needs EducatorEducation10Low exposure
- Career Guidance CounselorEducation11Low exposure
- Early Literacy SpecialistEducation14Low exposure
- STEM Laboratory EducatorEducation14Low exposure
- TVET Competency AssessorEducation14Low exposure
- Vocational Workshop InstructorEducation14Low exposure
- Montessori EducatorEducation15Low exposure
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Science teaching is harder than arts teaching.
Both require different skills; science teaching involves laboratory management and practical work alongside pedagogy.
There are no jobs for science teachers.
Science teachers are in high demand under CBC, especially for STEM subjects.
Diploma teachers are less qualified than degree teachers.
Diploma teachers are professionally qualified and registered with TSC for secondary teaching.
You need to be a genius to teach science.
Effective science teaching requires good pedagogy and subject knowledge, not genius-level ability.