Diploma in Secondary Teacher Education (Wood Technology and Mathematics)
The Diploma in Secondary Teacher Education (Wood Technology and Mathematics) is a KNEC-examined programme that prepares trainees to teach wood technology and mathematics 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 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, wood technology content, mathematics content, cross-disciplinary pedagogy, special needs education, and ICT integration. The curriculum combines coursework with extensive workshop practice and teaching practice in secondary schools.
Kenya's education sector under the Competency Based Curriculum emphasises both practical technical skills and quantitative literacy. This combination supports the government's STEM and technical education priorities.
The course is delivered through classroom sessions, workshop practicals, micro-teaching, and supervised teaching practice. Trainees develop both subject mastery and pedagogical skills.
Graduates qualify to teach wood technology and mathematics 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 technical and quantitative focus.
What you study
8 subjects- Professional Studies
- Wood Technology
- Carpentry and Joinery
- Mathematics
- Technical Drawing
- Mathematics Pedagogy
- Technical Pedagogy
- 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.
Wood Technology for Secondary Teaching
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Covers woodwork tools, joints, construction techniques, timber technology, and teaching methodology.
Carpentry and Joinery
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Covers carpentry and joinery techniques, furniture construction, and teaching methodology for secondary schools.
Mathematics for Secondary Teaching I
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Covers algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and teaching methodology for secondary school mathematics.
Technical Drawing
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers engineering drawing principles, projections, and dimensioning for wood technology applications.
Mathematics and Technical Teaching Methodology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Develops pedagogical skills for teaching mathematics and wood technology including project-based learning.
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 mathematics and wood technology teaching.
Specialisations
Wood Technology Teaching
Focuses on teaching woodwork and carpentry in secondary schools.
Carpentry and Joinery Teaching
Specialises in teaching furniture construction and joinery techniques.
Mathematics Teaching
Focuses on mathematics pedagogy and problem-solving instruction.
Technical Drawing Teaching
Covers teaching engineering drawing for wood technology applications.
A day as a student
A typical day includes morning mathematics content covering algebra or geometry, followed by afternoon workshop sessions where trainees practise woodworking, carpentry, and joinery techniques, and pedagogy workshops for teaching both subjects.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Mathematics is a core subject ensuring consistent demand. | Managing workshops requires additional time for equipment maintenance. |
| TSC employment provides job security and pension benefits. | Workshop safety supervision adds responsibility. |
| Clear progression to Bachelor of Education (Technology). | — |
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 Lugari Diploma Teachers Training College, Kagumo Teachers Training College, Kibabii Diploma Teachers Training College.
Including Lugari Diploma Teachers Training College, Kagumo Teachers Training College, Kibabii Diploma Teachers Training College.
Including Lugari Diploma Teachers Training College, Kagumo Teachers Training College, Kibabii 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 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 (Wood Technology and Mathematics).
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 Wood Technology Teacher
High demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 65,000
Teaches woodwork and carpentry in secondary schools with workshop practice.
Secondary School Mathematics Teacher
High demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 65,000
Teaches mathematics in secondary schools under the CBC curriculum.
Workshop Manager
Moderate demandKsh 38,000 to Ksh 60,000
Manages school woodwork workshops while teaching.
Private School Teacher
Moderate demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 55,000
Teaches wood technology and mathematics in private secondary schools.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates qualify to teach wood technology and mathematics 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
Wood technology is just carpentry.
Wood technology involves material science, design, structural analysis, and engineering principles.
Wood technology and mathematics is an unusual combination.
Mathematics is essential for technical drawing, measurements, and structural calculations in wood technology.
Diploma teachers cannot teach in secondary schools.
Diploma teachers are professionally qualified and TSC-registered for secondary teaching.
Technical subjects are for academically weak students.
Technical subjects require mathematical knowledge, problem-solving, and design skills.