Are you looking forward to undertake the new the new Diploma in Primary Education (DPTE) Course? Well. With the phasing out of the P1 course, the government has introduced the the new Diploma in Primary Education (DPTE) Course for primary school teachers. This course will be offered only in Teacher Training Colleges as from May 2021.

Applications for this new course are ongoing and the first intake will be in May 2021.

Entry requirements for the new Diploma in Primary Education (DPTE) Course

The entry requirements shall be C Plain in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examination (KCSE) or its equivalent as equated by the Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec).

The new Diploma in Primary Education (DPTE) Course duration

The duration for the diploma training shall be three years, according to the approved curriculum designs.

Specialization areas in the new Diploma in Primary Education (DPTE) Course duration

The teachers’ trainees will only specialise in three subject areas, having attained a minimum KCSE grade of C (Plain) in the learning areas they wish to focus on.

The areas for specialisation have been grouped into four clusters, but teachers will only pick one subject per category for specialty.

Candidates shall specialise from the first year in at least three learning areas preferably from any one of the four clusters.

Cluster one subjects in the new Diploma in Primary Education (DPTE) Course

1. Kenya Sign Language
2. Indigenous Languages
3. Foreign Languages (German, French, Arabic and Mandarin (Chinese).

Cluster two subjects in the new Diploma in Primary Education (DPTE) Course

1. Mathematics
2. Home Science
3. Agriculture
4. Science and Technology

Cluster three subjects in the new Diploma in Primary Education (DPTE) Course

1. Social Studies
2. Religious Education (CRE, HRE, IRE)

Cluster four subjects in the new Diploma in Primary Education (DPTE) Course

1. Art and Craft
2. Music

Mandatory subjects in the new Diploma in Primary Education (DPTE) Course

1. English
2. Kiswahili,
3. Physical and Health Education (PHE)
4. Kenya sign language for hearing impaired.

Mandatory Learning areas in the new Diploma in Primary Education (DPTE) Course

The mandatory learning areas will build on the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of the young teacher for effective lesson delivery.

Evaluation criteria in the new Diploma in Primary Education (DPTE) Course

Those who will be approved to teach in schools will have completed the required hours for coursework and passed the stipulated assessment as directed by the Kenya National Examinations Council, Knec.

They will also be required to have completed the required hours for the practicum and passed the stipulated assessment as directed by Knec.

There shall be three months micro-teaching undertaken as a course and will be a pre requisite for teaching practice.

During this period, teacher trainees will prepare learning and teaching materials and short lessons, which they will try on their peers for practice and feedback.

Placement of teacher trainees

These trainees upon completion of the course will be registered and employed by the Teachers service commission (TSC) to teach in primary schools across the country.

Remember to check the TSC minimum requirements for teachers before enrolling for any teaching course. Check the requirements in the links below;

• TSC new teacher registration guidelines, requirements and online procedure: Easily get your TSC Number
• New TSC Certificate registration requirements and procedure for ECDE, PTE, Diploma, and Graduate teachers
• TSC Guidelines for recruitment of primary school teachers; marking scheme for interns 2020/2021
• TSC teachers 2020/2021 recruitment guidelines, marking schemes and score-sheets (Secondary and primary)