TRAINING OF TEACHERS FOR DIPLOMA IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION (DECTE)- MOE CIRCULAR
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
State Department for Basic Education
Office of the Principal Secretary
Telephone: Nairobi (020) 3318581
JOGOO HOUSE ‘B’
HARAMBEE AVENUE
PO BOX 30040-00100
NAIROBI
19th January, 2026
E-mail ps@education.go.ke
When replying please quote
Ref: QAS/ECDE/7/1B/2/193
• 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 (UDECTE) 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 programme strictly on 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 offer 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

TRAINING OF TEACHERS FOR DIPLOMA IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION (DECTE)- MOE CIRCULAR
TRAINING OF TEACHERS FOR DIPLOMA IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION (DECTE)- MOE CIRCULAR
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
State Department for Basic Education
Office of the Principal SecretaryTelephone: Nairobi (020) 3318581
JOGOO HOUSE ‘B’
HARAMBEE AVENUE
PO BOX 30040-00100
NAIROBI
19th January, 2026
E-mail ps@education.go.ke
When replying please quoteRef: QAS/ECDE/7/1B/2/193
• County Directors of Education
• Sub County Directors of EducationRE: 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 (UDECTE) 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 programme strictly on 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 offer 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 SECRETARYCc:
- Director General
- Kenya National Examination Council
- Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development
- Directorate of Early Childhood Development Education
- Directorate of Teacher Education
- KECEPTIA

TRAINING OF TEACHERS FOR DIPLOMA IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION (DECTE)- MOE CIRCULAR
