About Us-Early Childhood & Special Needs Education

HISTORY OF THE DEPARTMENT
Kenyatta University was the first public university in East Africa to offer a B.ED degree in special education. Special Needs Education was first established as a special education unit within the department of Educational Psychology in 1995. 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. Other areas have been added gradually. Since then, the B.Ed Curriculum has been revised three times in order to accommodate other types of disabilities and to be in line with changes and dynamism the society.

Kenyatta university recognizes the importance of Special Needs Education as a vital aspect of accelerating the attainment of Education for All (EFA) and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The sessional paper NO.1 of 2005 on “policy Framework for Education, Training and Research” states clearly the vision of the education sector.

This vision can only be realized through the provision of an inclusive quality education which is accessible and relevant to all individuals including those with disabilities. Such an education will contribute significantly towards enhancing provision of employment opportunities and self-reliance to individuals and learners with special needs. Successful implementation of this policy framework is expected to improve the quality of education provided to individuals with SNE.

VISION 
The department of Special Needs Education envisages to become a centre of excellence in training, research, professionalism and community service in the area of Special Needs Education (SNE).

MISSION
To provide quality Special Needs Education, conduct research and consultancy, offer community service and create awareness towards inclusion of persons with special needs in the society and link with similar institutions.

OBJECTIVES

• To offer market driven courses and programmes in special needs education.
• To increase training opportunities for teachers in special needs education.
• To develop efficient, effective and creative personnel for inclusive education.
• To produce highly qualified special educators.
• To engage in research and create awareness on the rights and needs of learners with special needs.
• To provide leadership in SNE and advocacy for quality services for persons with Special Needs.

COLLABORATION WITH OTHER INSTITUTIONS
(1) Internal

• The Department of SNE is open to collaborations through the Centre of International Programmes and Collaboration. So far we are collaborating with Stadi Za Maisha – an Education Trust dealing children and youth who are gifted and talented.
• Getrudes' Childrens Hospital, Nairobi- SLP Internship
• Kenyatta National Hospital, KNH-SLP Internship

(2) External

The department partners with

• Leibniz University, Hannover, Germany
• University of Mt. St. Vincent in Canada (student/staff exchange program)
• Georgia Institute of Technology (research)
• University of Rwanda (students exchange).

GRADUATED STUDENTS SINCE THE DEPARTMENT'S INCEPTION

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS IN THE DEPARTMENT
The Department has attracted several students from other countries through the Directorate of International and Linkages Programmes. These include:

• Japan (Summer program)
• St. Vincent Canada (Summer Program)
• Uganda (fulltime/School-based)
• Rwanda – (fulltime/School Based)
• DRC – Congo (fulltime)
• Somalia – (fulltime)
• Tanzania – (fulltime)
• Ghana – (fulltime)
• Nigeria – (fulltime)

We have inquiries from Zambia and Malawi.

BURSARIES
Two students have benefited from the scholarship at the University i.e

• Jane Gitonga who graduated with a Master of Education degree in June 2013.
• Marylyne Awuor - E55/20125/2010 who is pursuing her Master of Education degree in Special Needs Education