Following a formal invitation from the SoE fraternity, the Kenyatta University Vice Chancellor Prof. Olive Mugenda, together with members of University Management Board, made a spectacular unprecedented visit to the School of Education on the afternoon of Wednesday 22nd February 2012. There was song and dance to welcome the Vice Chancellor (VC) as she entered the SoE Quadrangle. After signing the visitors’ book in the Dean’s office, and having a brief discussion with Chairpersons of Departments in the School Boardroom, the VC made a physical tour of the SoE Quadrangle, inspecting the general infrastructure and talking with staff as well as students who were studying in the vicinity. Thereafter, the VC proceeded to the Kenyatta University Conference Centre (KUCC) where the over 150 SoE academic staff members were awaiting to dialogue with her. There was brief moment of entertainment from the KUTT whose presentation aptly reflected the mood of the theme of the occasion titled; “Dialoguing for Teamwork & Greater Achievements in Quality Education services ’’. Before inviting the VC to talk to staff and share her vision of the School, the Dean, SoE, Prof. Fatuma Chege briefly outlined the issues of concern to the School and presented to the VC with a detailed memorandum that entailed the School’s vision of becoming a globally competitive hub of excellence in university professional teacher education.
In her speech, the VC expressed appreciation for the invitation which she described as historical, adding that no School had ever invited her to their midst. The Vice Chancellor highlighted the current academic and infrastructural development that KU has made in line with the KU Strategic and Vision Plan (2005-2015). She revealed that in this Vision Plan, the SoE is among the very first Schools that would be elevated to college status, and would be called the School of Education and Lifelong Learning. The VC went on to commend the SoE for excelling in student enrolment and completion, with the current population close to 15,000. Out of this population, approximately 1,200 are registered postgraduates (Masters and Doctoral levels). This notwithstanding, the VC also challenged the SoE to engage more in grants writing and fundraising so as to help in infrastructural and other physical developments of the University, which include the revival of Journals among other relevant activities. She encouraged the staff to venture vigorously into research activities and explore the use of modern technology in teaching and supervision, arguing that this would greatly help address the challenges of scarcity of human resource. During plenary session, members of staff responded to the VC’s speech in an open and frank manner while appreciating the honour of her visit. The VC expressed appreciation for the invitation to dialogue and promised to study the SoE Memorandum with the aim of responding as appropriately as possible.
Departments Special Education
| Special Needs Education | | Print | |
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Kenyatta University was the first public university in East Africa to offer a B.ED degree in special education. Special Need Education established as a unit within the department of Educational Psychology in 1995 comprising of eight areas of specialisation. The unit started with 33 undergraduate students specializing in the areas of education of: learners with visual impairments, hearing impairments and those with physical disabilities. Due to the increasing awareness and demand for the special education degree course and the need for qualified special educators, three more areas of specialization were initiated in 1996 namely: education of learners with learning disabilities, mental retardation and those who are gifted and talented. The original curriculum was revised in 2001 and two new areas of specialization were added to include, education of learners with emotional and behaviour disorders and communication disorders. In 2008 the curriculum was further revised to embrace KU philosophy. The current curriculum review was necessitated by the need to in cooperate all the education courses and to be in congruent with ISO 9001:2008 requirements. In line with the Kenyatta University restructuring of academic programs, trends towards inclusive education and Education for All (EFA) and the need for two teaching subjects as demanded by TSC, the special education curriculum needed further revision. The reviewed B.ED curriculum will cater for both primary and secondary school teachers and it will enable the department to attract prospective students locally and globally. The department also started M.ED in 2001 and various areas but only three have been offered for the last 10 years. These are education of children with visual impairments, hearing impairment and administration and supervision in special Needs education. In 2011, other areas were offered namely; education of children with learning disabilities, physical disabilities and emotional and behaviour disorders. PhD without coursework but with thesis has been offered since the department started with it first where it’s first student graduated in 2003. The department is extending its mandate by bringing in market driven courses from diploma, post graduate diploma, bachelors degree, master degree and PhD coursework with thesis in the field of special Need education. Departmental Statistics of graduates up top 2011 are as follows:
VISION MISSION WHY IS THIS CURRICULUM |
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| Last Updated on Thursday, 06 October 2011 05:41 |