Education

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).

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.

Duration: 3 years
Public, up to: Ksh 67,189
Private, up to: Ksh 46,580
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 6 months
Average class: 30 students
Award: Diploma

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 programme

Professional 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

Mathematics is a core subject ensuring consistent demand.
TSC employment provides job security and pension benefits.
Clear progression to Bachelor of Education (Technology).

Against it

Managing workshops requires additional time for equipment maintenance.
Workshop safety supervision adds responsibility.

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 Machakos 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

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C
Alternative entry: KCSE C- (minus) for candidates with disabilities.

Mathematics
C
English
C-

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

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

Accredited by

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.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Secondary 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

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.