The Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE) is a SAGA under the Ministry of Education Kenya that is mandated to ensure every child with special needs access to quality education like any other child. It was established under the Legal Notice No. 17 of 1986.
KISE offers courses related to special needs at the diploma level, craft certificate, and short course
The other core responsibilities of KISE are to conduct training on special education, sensitize the public on special needs requirements, prepare materials, and conduct research on matters related to special needs people.
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Functions of KISE in Education
The institute gets its mandate and responsibility from the Legal Notice No. 17 of 1986 which highlights the following roles and responsibilities.
- Conduct teacher training courses for teachers in various fields of education for children with special needs and disabilities
- Conduct in-service courses for personnel working in all fields of special needs education
- Prepare and conduct correspondence courses for personnel in the field of special needs education
- Run an educational and psychological assessment centre for the training of teachers of children with special needs education
- Run an orientation and mobility centre for training and demonstration purposes
- Run a model training unit for the integration and inclusion of children with special needs and disabilities into regular schools
- Run a preschool department where training and the stimulation of young children with special needs and disabilities can be carried out for teacher training
- Function as a resource centre for the production and dissemination of information to the general public on special needs and disabilities
- Run a documentation and resource centre on special needs and disabilities
- Conduct research in special needs education
- Maintain, repair, design, produce, and assemble special materials and equipment for persons with special needs and disabilities
Requirements and courses offered at KISE
The institute offers 3 types of courses, diploma craft and short course. For inquiries on Fees and other requirements please contact the center for the latest information.
These courses are offered on full-time, distance and blended learning, and online basis.
Diploma in Special Need Education
This is a diploma course that specializes in areas such as Autism, Hearing Impairment, Deafblind, Intellectual Disabilities, Gifted and Talented, Visual Impairment, Physical Disabilities, Learning Disabilities, and Inclusive Education
Requirements and qualifications for diploma in SNE:
- Holders of P1 Primary Teacher Certificate by training or its equivalent with a minimum of 2 years of teaching experience or
- Holders of Certificate Course in Early Childhood Education Development (ECDE) from a government Institution with at least D+ in KCSE or Division II in KCE or its equivalent and at least 2 years of teaching experience or
- Holders of P1 teacher certificate through promotion after passing the PTC exam offered by the Directorate of Quality Assurance and Standards, Ministry of Education, Kenya or
- Holders of P2 Teacher certificate and certificate in SNE from KISE or any other recognized institution with at least a D plain in KCSE or Division IV in KCE or its equivalent and at least 5 years of teaching experience.
Craft certificate course requirements
- Functional Assessment: Applicants should have a minimum Diploma in Special Needs Education.
- Inclusive Education: The course is open to teachers, parents, social workers, caregivers, Braille transcribers, and any other interested persons with form four educational level with a minimum of KCSE D are encouraged to apply.
- Kenyan Sign Language: Applicants should have a minimum KCSE Grade D or equivalent.
- Braille Proficiency: Applicants should have a minimum KCSE Grade D or equivalent.
KISE Short courses
- Kenyan Sign Language
- Disability Mainstreaming
- Inclusive Education
- Counseling Skills for PWDs
- Community Mobilization for PWDs
- Introduction to Persons with Disabilities
- HIV Mitigation for Persons with Disabilities and HIV & AIDS Workplace Programme
KISE training branches
- KISE Main Campus: It is located at Kasarani, Thika Superhighway Exit 8, Off Kasarani-Mwiki Road. You can contact them at the physical address P. O. Box 48413 – 00100 NAIROBI, KENYA.Email info@kise.ac.ke, admissions@kise.ac.ke +254-724-269505.
- Kericho Teachers College Campus
- Migori Teachers College Campus
- Nairobi CBD Campus – Reinsurance Plaza
- Shimo La Tewa High School Campus
- Sigalagala National Polytechnic Campus
- Thika Technical Institute Campus
What is the role of KISE in Special Education?
The institute evaluates special needs learners and their needs and prepares material relevant to them. It also trains teachers on how to handle special needs learners and sensitize the public on the same.
What are the qualifications for Special Needs Education?
Their courses are mostly met for practicing teachers who are already employed, either at the primary, secondary, or post-secondary levels. However, for craft and short courses, all other members of the public can apply.
What are KISE courses fee structure?
Diploma in special education full-time first-year Kshs. 97,000, while ODeL mode is Kshs. 72,000. Year two goes up to Kshs. 135,000 as per the KISE fee guidelines. For craft certificate courses the fee ranges from Kshs. 44,000 to 86,000.