KNEC Mid-Course Assessments for Diploma in Special Needs Education (SNE) Begin This Week
KNEC Set to Conduct Mid-Course SNE Diploma Assessments
The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has announced readiness to administer the mid-course assessment for thousands of teacher trainees pursuing a Diploma in Special Needs Education (SNE). The assessment, scheduled for Wednesday this week, is a critical milestone in the two-year program, which concludes in April 2026 with a final KNEC exam.
This evaluation will be conducted both manually and electronically, determining whether a candidate can proceed to the final year or must be referred for further improvement.
KNEC’s Shift to Electronic Assessments
KNEC is actively piloting its electronic assessment system (e-assessment) for teacher trainees. To support this initiative, trainees were previously instructed to acquire laptops that meet specific minimum technical requirements.
Minimum Laptop Specifications for E-Assessments:
- Licensed Windows 10 (version 22H2 or higher)
- 14-inch display with a minimum resolution of 1920×1080
- Integrated webcam
- 256GB SSD hard drive
- 8GB RAM
- Intel Core i3 (6th Gen or newer)
- Battery life of at least 3 hours
- Wi-Fi capability (IEEE 802.11 a/g/n/ac)
College principals have been tasked with ensuring stable internet access and a reliable power supply during the assessments.
Diploma in SNE – Course Overview and Specializations
Offered by accredited colleges in collaboration with KISE, the Diploma in Special Needs Education is a school-based, two-year program tailored for practicing teachers. The program is accessible at several regional centers, including:
- KISE Main Campus (Nairobi)
- Shimo La Tewa High School
- Kericho Teachers Training College
- Eregi TTC
- Migori TTC
Available Specializations:
- Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Emotional & Behavioral Difficulties
- Hearing Impairment
- Deafblindness
- Intellectual Disabilities
- Gifted and Talented
- Visual Impairment
- Physical Disabilities
- Learning Disabilities
- Inclusive Education
Eligibility and Application
To enroll in the Diploma in SNE, applicants must:
- Hold a Primary Teacher Education (PTE) or P1 Certificate
- Be registered with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC)
- Have a minimum of two years teaching experience
👉 Apply now via the KISE portal: application.kise.ac.ke
Fee Structure for the 2-Year Diploma in SNE
Year 1:
| Vote Head | Session 1 | Session 2 | Session 3 | Subtotal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registration | 3,000 | – | – | 3,000 |
| Tuition | 25,810 | 16,000 | 9,610 | 51,420 |
| Administration | 3,200 | 3,200 | 3,200 | 9,600 |
| Subtotal | 32,010 | 19,200 | 12,810 | 64,020 |
| KNEC Exam (Year 1) | 7,700 | – | – | 7,700 |
| Total Year 1 | 39,710 | 19,200 | 12,810 | 71,720 |
Year 2:
| Vote Head | Session 4 | Session 5 | Session 6 | Subtotal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | 21,180 | 11,400 | 6,550 | 39,130 |
| Administration | 3,200 | 3,200 | 3,200 | 9,600 |
| Subtotal | 24,380 | 14,600 | 9,750 | 48,730 |
| KNEC Exam (Year 2) | 10,600 | – | – | 10,600 |
| Total Year 2 | 34,980 | 14,600 | 9,750 | 59,330 |
Total Course Cost: KES 131,050
TSC Deployment & Promotion of SNE-Trained Teachers
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has launched a phased deployment plan targeting teachers with SNE qualifications. The program aims to address severe staffing shortages in special schools and units across the country.
Deployment Phases:
- Phase 1 – September 2024
- Phase 2 – January 2025
- Phase 3 – June 2025 (upcoming)
TSC aims to deploy 3,600 teachers, selected from both primary and secondary schools, into special institutions. These deployments are strategic, given the 5,362-teacher shortfall in special education.
Eligibility for Deployment:
- Must have a Diploma or Degree in Special Needs Education
- Must be enrolled in KNEC-approved colleges
- Must have teacher details submitted to TSC CSOs, including:
- Full Name and TSC Number
- County, Sub-County, Zone, and Current School
- Preferred Special School/Unit
- Contact Information
- Area of SNE Specialization (e.g., Autism, VI, HI, Deafblind, etc.)
Conclusion
The mid-course KNEC assessments mark a crucial checkpoint in the SNE Diploma journey, reflecting Kenya’s commitment to improving inclusive education. With more teachers enrolling and upcoming deployments by TSC, the future of special education in the country looks promising.
