Overview
Introduction
Background
Agriculture is the backbone of Kenya’s economy. It contributes about 30% of the GDP and provides income to over 70% of the population. However, the sector continues to face many challenges, one of them being lack of skilled manpower. There is need for manpower which can effectively generate and promote technologies, strategies and services that can enhance agricultural productivity and quality while preserving the environment as envisaged in national’s Vision 2030 and as spelt out in the Agricultural Sector Development Strategy (ASDS). The degree in Agricultural Education and Extension will prepare graduates for education and leadership positions in agriculture including extension, teaching in secondary schools and tertiary institutions. The curriculum is fairly broad and offers many career opportunities in education and agriculture.
Philosophy of the Programme
The University of Nairobi Philosophy is guided by the need to connect and inspire the Kenyan community, to provide leadership and stewardship and to give hope and faith to the Kenyan society that it can excel in whatever it chooses to do with passion, moral responsibility and a strong sense of patriotism. The degree in Agricultural Education and Extension aligns graduates for education and leadership positions in agriculture including experiential learning and teaching in schools and tertiary institutions. Currently, agricultural education teachers’ competences and skills are needed to boost productivity among farming community and tertiary institutions and impart necessary skills related to agricultural systems.
Rationale of the Programme
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Kenya National Government Blue Prints (Vision 2030) and The Big Four Agenda all have specific strategies for their achievement. The main strategy among other aspects would be job creation that will enable the citizen meet their basic and other needs, thereby transforming their lives and enhancing their well-being and enhancing realization of food security and nutrition to the society. The degree in Agricultural Education and Extension is designed to fill in the gap of the strategies by producing professionals grounded in technical agriculture, research and the skills of communicating and transferring agricultural technologies to producers, agricultural educationists/extension agents and rural development specialists. The program aims to train professionals capable of influencing policy, planning and implementation of rural development initiatives through enhancing relevant agricultural technologies and innovation’s transfer. The role in modernization and commercialization of agriculture is therefore critical. The degree in Agricultural Education and Extension will prepare graduates for education and leadership positions in agriculture including teaching in schools and colleges.
Goal of the Programme
The goal of Agricultural Education and Extension programme is to provide learners with necessary knowledge, attitude change and skills in applying basic pedagogical skills of teaching biology and agriculture subjects and disseminating knowledge and skills among Agricultural community thereby increasing food security.
Expected Learning Outcomes
At the end of this programme learner should be able to: 4 i. Apply knowledge and skills in teaching agriculture and other biological courses in schools, teacher training colleges, and other agricultural institutions. ii. Impart learners with leadership skills for transformative leadership in agricultural Education and extension sector. iii. Provide learners with requisite capacity to design and conduct experiential learning in agricultural education and extension. iv. Equip learners with knowledge and skills necessary for effective information and service delivery in agricultural sector. v. To equip learners with requisite modern digital knowledge for effective information and service delivery in agricultural sector.
Mode Of Delivery
The program will be offered under two modules: full time (face to face) and Open and Distance Learning (ODL) (Module III) for students who cannot attend regular university program. Module II students will be integrated in Module.
-Face-Face Mode
The teaching period for the degree program shall extend over not less than four academic years or their equivalents. Each academic year shall consist of two semesters of thirteen (13) teaching weeks and two 2) weeks of examination.
Each academic year shall consist of two semesters except during the second year of study which will have a third semester of 8 weeks for industrial attachment.
Each semester shall consist of 15 teaching weeks inclusive of teaching and examinations, while the third semester shall be eight weeks.
A candidate for B.Sc. Agricultural Education and Extension shall participate and complete coursework and practical assignments that may be applicable to the programme. In addition, the candidate shall participate in a full term of teaching practice in a secondary school in Kenya. Admission to the examination at the end of the semester shall be based on satisfactory completion of such requirements.
Each candidate shall be required to undertake field practice (attachment) after completion of the second semester of the second year of study. During the field attachment, students are expected to embark on a research project, which they have to complete and present at a seminar during the fourth year of study.
Open, distance and e-learning
The course structure and requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education and Extension offered by open, distance, and e-learning mode (ODeL) remain the same as under the full-time format. However, the model of delivery will involve the use of various media and is largely home-based.
Other modes of delivery: (Written self-instructional study modules at the registration time including study books, relevant literature, interactive devices, and self-tests)
Mediated technical learning materials; audio cassettes, e-learning materials, and video clips.
Limited face-to-face sessions to provide an overview of the course at the commencement of the semester, mid semester, and revision period before examinations. The emphasis in ODeL is the use of satellite centres/digital platforms that serve as a link between the university and the students in the following: registration, collecting reading materials, collecting results and programmes, examination information, posting timetables, and holding meetings.
The Blended Learning
The blended learning mode of delivery will combine face-to-face and online learning approaches including but not limited to the use of online tools and resources such as Google Classroom, YouTube, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Skype, Moodle, and Blackboard; Hands-on practical exercises in the field, face-to-face group work in classrooms and face-to-face tutorials between online lessons; Use of cloud-based content, use of learning course management systems and applications, and connect students via online. The online platforms will allow students to access videos for the lectures, track assignments, interact with lecturers and classmates, and further review supporting materials such as reading and research materials, PowerPoint presentations, and other scholarly work.
Programme Co-ordinator
Dr. Evans Chimoita
Email - echimoita@uonbi.ac.ke
Telephone: 020 - 4916019
Contacts of Support persons
Agripina singa - asinga@uonbi.ac.ke
Emmanuel Guantai - guantai@uonbi.ac.ke
Dorcas Nduati - dnduati@uonbi.ac.ke
Notable Alumni
Dr. Titus Wanjala
Structure
SCHEDULE OF INTAKE
Students are admitted once every year usually in September except variations that may be caused by unforeseen circumstances. Applications are, however, received all year round and are processed for yearly admission.
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The teaching of the degree shall extend over not less than four academic years or their equivalents, each year consisting of two teaching semesters of fifteen weeks or their equivalents.
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Each student shall be required to take relevant Farm Practice, Field Attachment or Teaching Practice for a minimum period of 8 weeks after completion of the third year and before entering the fourth year of study.
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In the second semester of the 4 th year, each student shall be required to carry out a Special Project, AEX 411 relevant to the area of Agricultural Education and Extension.
Admission Requirements
Admission Requirements
K.C.S.E. Candidates In addition to satisfying the minimum university entrance requirements, admission to the degree course may be granted to the following candidates.
-Holders of KCSE with a mean grade C+ (plus) or equivalent from a recognized institution: b) Holders of KCSE with a mean grade C (minus) or equivalent plus a certificate and Diploma. Other Candidates Admission to this degree course may also be granted to the following candidates.
- Holders of O-level Division II or equivalent plus a Diploma from a recognized institution.
-Holders of O-level Division III or equivalent plus a certificate and Diploma from a recognized institution.
-Holders of O-level Division III or equivalent plus a certificate and Diploma from a recognized post-secondary institution
-KCSE or equivalent. e) CPA II/CPSII/CIPS or equivalent for Commerce and Arts with an aggregate of C in KCSE of O-level Division III. f) Holders of Primary-one (P1) certificate from a recognized post-secondary training institution.
-Higher National Diploma in relevant fields and should have obtained an aggregate of C in KCSE.
-Holders of a degree in biological or related sciences from a recognized university.
-Candidates wishing to become graduate teachers should have attained a minimum KCSE mean grade C+ (plus) or equivalent in mathematics, Agriculture, Geography and Biology.
-Holders of equivalent qualifications to the above from institutions recognized by the University of Nairobi Senate.
Regulation on Credit Transfer in the Programme Credit Transfer
-The common regulations governing the credit transfer and exemption of courses in the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Nairobi, shall apply:
-The credit transfer shall be applicable for candidates from universities or institutions recognized by the Senate of the University of Nairobi. 6
-The number of hours, content and grading of course(s) for which credit transfer is sought shall be similar to the degree courses offered at the University of Nairobi.
-Only grades of C and above shall be transferred.
-Only a maximum of one third (1/3) of the total prescribed courses required for the award of the degree of Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education and Extension can be transferred.
-No credit transfer shall be allowed in professional competency courses such as Teaching Methods (subject methods; agriculture and subject methods: biology), farm practice and Teaching Practice.
Exemptions
Senate may exempt students from some courses on recommendation of the Faculty Board provided that:
-Such candidates had taken those courses in a recognized University or equivalent institution and had achieved a pass standard.
-Candidates seeking such exemption apply in writing to the Faculty Board of Agriculture specifying the courses for which exemption is desired and attaching evidence of above.
-Such courses are to satisfy the requirements of the first year of study only. Candidates requiring exemption from 2nd, 3rd and 4th year courses shall be required to sit university examination and attain a pass grade, which will then be used in the degree classification.
-A non-refundable course exemption fee as determined by the University must be paid with each application for exemption.
Careers
Career Prospects/Opportunities
- Teachers of biology and agriculture in secondary and tertiary institutions
- Extension agents in both private and public institutions
- Environmental conservation agents
- They are allowed to pursue postgraduate degrees in the 4 departments of the Faculty of Agriculture
Attachment Opportunities
- ELGON KENYA
- ILRI
- KTDA
- NATIONAL CEREALS AND PRODUCE BOARD
- VEGPRO
- MoA Kakamega county
- KALRO-Kitale
- SONY SUGAR
- Bukura Agricultural College
- Kisii Agricultural Training Centre
- Chemelil Sugar Company Limited
- Mbita ICPE Homabay
- Mogeni Tea Factory
Fees and Funding
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The conduct of examinations shall be governed by the following regulations:
-No candidate shall be permitted to an examination unless he/she has satisfactorily attended the prescribed course of study.
-For purposes of these regulations. Industrial attachment shall be deemed to be part of the fourth year of study.
- All examination procedures shall be governed by the following:
- Each course shall be examined out of a total of 100%.
- The pass mark in each course examination shall be 40% and be graded as follows:
70 – 100% A
60 – 69% B
50 – 59% C
40 – 49% D
39% and below F
- Written examination in each course shall constitute 70% Coursework Assessment Tests (CATs) the remaining 30% of the total marks.
- The Industrial Attachment shall be examined by written report and oral presentation. The Industrial attachment score shall be graded as Pass (P) or fail (F) on 1 and shall not be used in the degree classification.
- The Special Research Project shall be examined by written report and oral examination.
- For purposes of regulations 6.3 (a) – (e) herein, all papers shall carry equal weight.
- A candidate who fails to attain the pass mark in seven or more papers in any year shall on the recommendation of the Faculty Board and approval by Senate be discontinued.
- A candidate who fails to attain the pass mark in five to six papers may on the recommendation of the faculty Board and approval by Senate be allowed to repeat the year with the option, to repeat externally. Candidates who repeat the year externally shall be required to pay examination and any other fees that the University may deem applicable. Candidates who repeat the year shall sit for examinations in the failed subjects only.
- In any year, a candidate who fails to attain the PassMark in four papers or less may on the recommendation of the Faculty Board and approval by Senate be allowed to sit Supplementary Examinations in the papers failed within a period of three months from the last date of the ordinary examination.
- A candidate who fails to attain a pass mark in a Supplementary examination shall on the recommendation of the Faculty Board and approval by Senate be allowed to resit the supplementary examination ONCE ONLY as long as such examinations do not exceed eight in number during any one sitting.
- A candidate failing a resit Supplementary shall on the recommendation of the Faculty Board and approval by Senate be discontinued from the degree course.
- Any Supplementary Examination shall be marked out of 100%, but the passing score shall be reduced to 40% only.
- For purposes of evaluation of all Supplementary examinations, regulations 6.4 (g) – (ii) shall apply.
- No candidate shall be permitted to repeat any year more than once for academic reasons only.
- The final award of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Food Science and
Technology) shall:
- Be given to candidates who have completed and passed examinations in all the courses of study including Industrial Practice.
- Be based on the average score of all the examinations of the courses taken in the second, third and fourth year of study.
- Be classified into First Class Honours, Second Class Honours (Upper or Lower) Division, and Pass, provided that in order to qualify for an award of honours degree, a candidate shall not have repeated either the 2nd, 3rd or 4th year of study or have had resit Supplementary in an Examination from the same years.
- In arriving at the decision as to the degree classification for each candidate, the Faculty Board of examiners shall have regard to the overall marks obtained by the candidate and shall apply the principle that an aggregate score of:
- 70% -100% merits First-class Honours.
- 60% - 69% merits the Second Class Honours (Upper Division).
- 50% - 59% merits the Second Class Honours (Lower Division).
- 40% - 49% merits a Pass.
- Below 40% merits a Fail.