MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
State Department for Basic Education
Office of the Principal Secretary
Ref. QAS/ECDE/7/1B/2/193
19th January, 2026
- County Directors of Education
- Sub County Directors of Education
RE: TRAINING OF TEACHERS FOR DIPLOMA IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION (DECTE)
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 in Teacher Education — Pre-Primary and Primary (DTE, PP & P).
Consequently, the Upgrade Diploma in Early Childhood Teacher Education (DECTE) has been discontinued.
Accordingly, the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) is directed not to register any candidates for assessment under the DECTE or UDECTE programmes.
Further, all Teacher Training Colleges shall offer the DTE PP & P progamme a full-time basis.
The school-based mode of training remains suspended until further notice.
This circular therefore directs that NO admissions shall be undertaken for the DECTE programme and NO registration or approval of colleges shall be processed to DECTE or UDECTE programmes.
These directives take effect immediately, and all concerned offices are required to ensure strict compliance.
Amb. (Prof.) Julius K. Bitok CBS.
PRINCIPAL SECRETARY
Cc:
Director General
Kenya National Examination Council
Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development
Directorate of Early Childhood Development Education
Directorate of Teacher Education
KECEPTIA
