PHILOSOPHY OF THE PROGRAMME

The B.Ed (Early Childhood and Primary Education) programme has been designed to prepare teachers who are capable of meeting the demands of the current society by implementing and interpreting educational policies in the constitution, promoting national cohesion, and solving societal problems.  For this reason, the programme is based on the conviction that there is need to train teachers who can stimulate holistic development, motivate, and provide care to learners. This programme has also been motivated by the need to develop and nurture professional teachers who are knowledgeable of 21^st century teaching and learning trends and are responsive to the needs and interests of the learner.  The programme is also developed out of the conviction and belief that there is need to produce teachers who understand the national, regional, and global perspectives and trends and are capable of integrating them in Early Childhood and Primary Education.  Further, the programme is based on the conviction that there is need to produce teachers who are capable of making learning interesting and enjoyable, while exercising high degrees of responsibility.  Prepare teachers/workers who will stimulate, motivate, develop as well as identify the creative talents of the child as he/she grows and develops from one stage to another until/she finishes her primary education.

RATIONALE OF THE PROGRAMME

Early Childhood and Primary Education encompasses the education that children obtain during early stages of their childhood.  It is a crucial time period for the development of the mental functions of children. This development is now known to be greatly influenced by exogenous factors, including the nature of the educational environment to which the child is exposed. This poses a challenge to universities to train and equip teachers with relevant knowledge, skills, values and attitudes that make them competent to teach young children in early childhood centres and primary schools with a view to responding to the instructional needs of the children. In addition, the persistent problem of unemployment has necessitated need to train teachers who have both entrepreneurial skills and national to global perspectives.  This programme intends to train teachers who are moral, ethical, creative, innovative, competent and accountable. It also aims at providing an opportunity for self-development in relation to career and life-long learning.  

PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAMME

The B.Ed (Early Childhood and Primary Education) programme is designed to produce well-grounded professionally qualified graduate teachers of Early Childhood and Primary levels of education. 

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The overall objectives of the B.Ed (Early Childhood and Primary Education) programme are: 

• To train professionally qualified teachers who are competent and skilful enough to teach and provide effective leadership and management at early childhood centres and primary schools.  
• To build a broad foundation of theoretical, historical, philosophical, and professional knowledge in early childhood and primary education.  
• To equip the student teacher with relevant skills needed in design and implementation of programmes that meet the individual, professional, institutional, county, national and global educational needs today and in the near future.

PROGRAMME LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of the programme, the learner should be able to:

• Use relevant and appropriate teaching methods in ECPE

• Plan and implement appropriate programmes for different categories of learners in early childhood and primary educational institutions.
• Conduct research to enhance the handling of children in Early Childhood and Primary School Education.
• Motivate and stimulate children’s interests by using developmental stages 
• Identify talents during critical stages of growth and development

SPECIALIZATION LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of the programme, the learner should be able to:

• Employ appropriate methodologies in teaching.
• Portray creativity and imagination in teaching and learning in and out of the classroom.
• Conduct research to enhance the handling of children in Early Childhood and Primary School Education.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

• The course shall be offered in terms of units.
• Education core courses and those relating to early childhood and primary education will be offered concurrently. 
• The course units will be covered in a total of eight semesters (4 academic years).
• A total of 48 units will be required for graduation with a Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood and Primary Education degree.

A Teaching Practice lasting at least 12 weeks will be undertaken at the end of third year.

Definitions

For purposes of this programme the following definitions apply:

Lecture hour – A Lecture hour is equivalent to one (1) contact hour of lectures or two (2) hours of tutorial or three (3) hours of practical work.

Credit Unit (CU) – A credit unit is equivalent to one (1) lecture hour per week for sixteen weeks.

Course Unit – A course unit is equivalent to three (3) credit units which is equivalent to forty-eight (48) lecture hours.

Credit Transfer

• Students who hold diplomas from recognized tertiary institutions and wish to upgrade their academic qualifications may be admitted as transfer candidates. Similarly, degree holders wishing to obtain a second degree may be admitted as transfer candidates. Transfer students may apply to transfer some credits from their former institutions. Such credit transfer should fulfil the following conditions:
• Have official academic transcripts to support the application. The student must be a bona fide student of the University from which he/she is transferring. 
• Have a minimum grade of C+ at K.C.S.E for the course to be transferred. A student should not transfer more than 48% credits.