September 2026 Intake Now Open — Apply Today!
Apply Now
Skip to main content

WTTC

Wajir Teachers Training College logo
Apply Now

Diploma in Special Needs Education (SNE)

COURSE OVERVIEW

Diploma in Special Needs Education (SNE)

A comprehensive three-year programme designed to prepare competent, innovative, and professional special needs education teachers equipped to support diverse learners.

The Diploma in Special Needs Education (SNE) is a three-year pre-service program in Kenya specifically designed to equip educators with the skills needed to implement and adapt the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) for learners with diverse needs. Over the three years, teacher trainees engage in a blend of professional courses—such as educational psychology, adaptive pedagogy, and assistive technology integration—alongside core specialization areas including visual impairment (Braille), hearing impairment (Sign Language), autism spectrum disorders, and physical disabilities.
A distinctive feature of the program is its emphasis on hands-on experience, which includes a mandatory micro-teaching simulation on campus followed by extensive school placements and classroom teaching practice in specialized centers and inclusive primary schools. To graduate and receive certification from the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC), students must successfully complete both continuous school-based assessments and final summative examinations.
 

Course at a Glance

  • Duration: 3 Years
  • Award: Diploma
  • Curriculum: CBC Standards
  • Practice: Micro-Teaching & Placements
  • Certification: KNEC Board
Enrol in SNE Programme

CORE UNITS COVERED

Our curriculum combines theory and practical learning to equip students with the knowledge and professional skills required in Special Needs Education.

MODULE ONE

  • Introduction to Children with Special Needs
  • Child Growth and Development
  • Introduction to Guidance and Counseling
  • Introduction to Educational Resources (Theory)
  • Introduction to Educational Psychology
  • Management of Special Needs Education Programmers
  • Introduction to First Aid
  • Introduction to Early Childhood Care, Development and Education
  • Introduction to Community Based Rehabilitation
  • Library and Study Skills
  • Professional Field Visits

MODULE TWO

  • Introduction to Inclusive Education
  • Introduction to Contemporary Issues Affecting Education
  • Behavior Management
  • Introduction to Educational Research
  • Introduction to Special Needs Assessment and Early Intervention
  • Curriculum Development and Adaptation
  • Introduction to ICT
  • Teaching and Learning Strategies for Learners with Special Needs
  • Introduction to Educational Resources
  • Professional Field Visits
These core units are designed to build strong theoretical knowledge and practical skills for a successful career in Special Needs Education.
ENTRY REQUIREMENT

Course Entry Requirement

Applicants must meet the minimum academic qualification below to be eligible for admission into this programme.

Minimum Qualification

P1 Certificate

Applicants must possess a valid P1 Certificate or an equivalent teacher training qualification recognized by the Ministry of Education and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
 
WHY CHOOSE SNE

Why Choose the Diploma in Special Needs Education

Build the knowledge, practical skills, and professional qualifications needed to become a competent special needs education teacher and prepare for a rewarding career in inclusive education.

High Market Demand

Schools actively seek certified SNE professionals to implement mandatory inclusive learning policies, ensuring excellent and rapid post-graduation employment rates

Mastery of Inclusive Pedagogy

Gain specialized skills to adapt the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), making lessons accessible, engaging, and effective for learners with diverse needs.

Profound Social Impact

Transform lives directly by empowering exceptional children, breaking learning barriers, and fostering equal educational opportunities within your local community.

Specialized Practical Skills

Acquire valuable, niche technical expertise in high-demand areas like Braille literacy, Kenyan Sign Language, and strategic behavior management techniques.

Versatile Career Pathways

Open doors beyond traditional classrooms to rewarding roles in educational assessment centers, non-governmental organizations, and community rehabilitation programs.

Career Paths & Opportunities After SNE

Where your diploma can take you

Special Needs Education Teacher

Modifies school curricula, teaches core subjects, and designs custom Individualized Education Programs for students with diverse learning disabilities

Shadow Teacher

Provides dedicated, one-on-one classroom support to help a single student follow lessons, manage behaviors, and socialize.

Early Interventionist

Assesses young children for developmental delays and creates early learning plans to boost cognitive and motor growth.

Community Disability Officer

Coordinates non-profit outreach programs, distributes essential assistive devices, and advocates for local inclusive education access.

Sign Language Interpreter

Translates learning materials into Braille or provides real-time sign language interpretation during school lessons

Home-Based Tutor

Delivers private, personalized remedial academic lessons and functional life skills training directly inside a student’s home.

1. What are the minimum entry requirements for a Diploma in Special Needs Education?

You need a minimum KCSE mean grade of C (Plain), or a D+ paired with a relevant certificate (like ECDE). Practising teachers can also qualify with a valid P1 Teacher Certificate.

The training typically takes 2 to 3 years. The exact duration depends on whether you study full-time, via distance learning, or through school-based holiday sessions. 

Yes, the TSC fully recognizes it as long as you graduate from an accredited institution. You must register with the commission after graduating to qualify for public school employment

Students specialize in fields like Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), Hearing Impairments (Sign Language), Visual Impairments (Braille), Physical Disabilities, or Gifted and Talented learners

Yes, it is highly marketable due to the government’s aggressive push for inclusive CBC schooling. There is a severe shortage of specialized teachers in both public and private institutional sectors.

Yes, you can directly progress to a Bachelor of Education in Special Needs. Most universities will grant you credit transfers (exemptions) for units you completed during your diploma.

Ready to Start Your Teaching Career?

Join Wajir Teachers Training College and become a leader in the classroom. Applications for the next intake are now open.

Apply For Admission