The Ministry of Education has announced the termination of the Diploma in Early Childhood Teacher Education (DECTE) following a directive from the State Department for Basic Education.
In a notice dated January 19 by the education Principal Secretary Julius K. Bitok, this programme has been merged with the Diploma in Primary Teacher Education (DPTE) to form a new course, the Diploma in Teacher Education – Pre-Primary and Primary (DTE PP & P).
“The Diploma in Early Childhood Teacher Education (DECTE) course has been merged with the Diploma in Primary Teacher Education (DPTE) and re-designated as the Diploma Teacher Education – Pre-Primary and Primary (DTE PP & P).”
According to the statement, the standalone DECTE and UDECTE diplomas have been discontinued, and the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has been directed not to register any candidates for assessment under the two programmes.
The Ministry emphasised that the changes are effective immediately and that all relevant offices must ensure strict compliance.
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Additionally, the statement confirmed that all Teacher Training Colleges are now required to offer the DTE PP & P programme on a full-time basis.
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The school-based training mode, previously available to teacher trainees, has been suspended until further notice.
No admissions or college approvals will be processed for the discontinued DECTE or UDECTE programmes.
“Further, all Teacher Training Colleges shall offer the DTE PP & P programme strictly on a full-time basis. The school-based mode of training remains suspended until further notice.”
The Ministry instructed county and sub-county education directors to ensure that all training colleges comply with the new directives immediately.
The circular also noted that the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development, the Directorate of Early Childhood Development Education, and the Director of Teacher Education have been copied for coordination and enforcement purposes.
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“No admissions shall be undertaken for the DECTE programme, and no registration or approval of colleges shall be processed to offer DECTE or UDECTE programmes.”
Diploma in Early Childhood Teacher Education (DECTE)
The Diploma in Early Childhood Teacher Education (DECTE) was a professional academic qualification in Kenya designed to prepare educators for teaching in Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) settings.
This diploma was offered by recognised Teacher Training Colleges in Kenya and was regulated by the Ministry of Education and the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC). Successful completion of the DECTE generally qualifies candidates to teach in ECDE classrooms, particularly in pre-primary education centres.
Admission to the programme typically requires at least a Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) with a minimum aggregate score set by the Ministry and the respective colleges.
The DECTE was distinct from the Diploma in Primary Teacher Education (DPTE), which prepared teachers for primary school classrooms from Grade 1 upwards.
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