Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education and Extension: An Overview
Despite agriculture being the backbone of Kenya’s economy, 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. Currently, agricultural education teachers are needed in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions to impart students with these important skills. To bridge this gap in manpower requirement, the Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension at the University of Embu offers the Agricultural Education and Extension programme. This curriculum is fairly broad and offers many career opportunities in education and agriculture. The Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension collaborates with the School of Education and Social Sciences and other departments in implementing this programme.
The programme prepares graduates for education and leadership positions in agriculture including teaching in schools and colleges. Graduates from this programme have the relevant leadership skills necessary to transform agricultural education and extension in Kenya and globally. The graduates acquire the requisite skills to teach agriculture and other biological courses in schools, teacher training colleges, and agricultural institutions. They also acquire the necessary capacity to design and conduct research in agricultural education and extension. In addition, the graduates have knowledge and skills necessary for effective information and service delivery in the agricultural sector.
Introduction to AGED Programme
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).
Objective of the Programme
The degree in Agricultural Education and Extension prepares graduates for education and leadership positions in agriculture including teaching in schools and colleges. Currently, agricultural education teachers are needed in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions to impart students with these important skills related to agricultural systems. The Programme is broad and offers many career opportunities in education and agriculture and allied natural resources. The Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension collaborates with School of Education and other faculties in implementing this programme.
Admission Requirements for the AGED Programme
In addition to satisfying the minimum university entrance requirements, admission to the degree course may be granted to the following candidates.
(a) 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.
Programme Structure
(i) The teaching of the degree programme shall extend over a minimum of 8 semesters and a maximum period of 16 semesters.
(ii) Each academic year shall consist of two semesters.
(iii) Each semester shall consist of 15 weeks inclusive of teaching and examinations.
(iv) Candidates shall be required to do teaching practice for a period of equivalent to one semester during their third year of study. Students shall participate and complete course work and practical assignments that may be applicable to the programme. Admission to the examination at the end of the semester shall be based on satisfactory completion of such requirements.
(v) Each candidate shall be required to undertake 8 weeks of field practice (attachment) after completion of second semester of the second year of study. During field attachment, students are expected to identify a project on which to write a technical report and present at a seminar organized for the whole class.