Master of Education (History of Education)

1. Background

The M.Ed. program gives students a strong disciplinary grounding that allows them to approach education questions. The M. Ed program consists of a set of common mandatory courses in the first year and a series of specialized courses in the second year. The course aims at helping teachers and educators analyze the development of educational theory and practice from the beginning of human civilization to the present. Topics covered include various statistical and research methods, as well as substantive issues focusing on various aspects of the functioning of education in society in the various Historical Foundations areas of specialization.

2. Objective

This programme shall enable the learner to:

1. Explain the historical foundations of education.
2. Examine the socio-economic and political factors that have influenced educational theory and practice from ancient times to the present.
3. Analyze the influence of western education on the development of modern education in Africa.
4. Assess the development of education in Kenya from the pre-colonial period to the present.
5. Apply knowledge in the area of the History of education dating from the rise of human civilization

3. Philosophy

The philosophy of the programme is anchored on the need to build skills necessary for graduates in their future careers; these skills include critical thinking, problem-solving, analysis and evaluating other people’s work. The programme enables students to engage in educational analysis and critical thinking. The programme will investigate the contradictions, challenges, and possibilities of education. Throughout the training, students will learn some basic facts about education and its organization, orienting perspectives and theories for understanding how education systems work, and details concerning selected specific issues in education. In addition, students will become conversant with several instruments and structures at both the local and regional levels that are aimed at promoting, strengthening and revitalizing higher education. Hence, the philosophy of the course is not only to learn facts but, more importantly, to learn to marshal those facts to weigh the evidence.

4. Rationale

The role of education in realizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) cannot be over-emphasized. Kenya will require the services of a highly skilled labour force as it works towards the realization of the SDGs. In addition, the Social Pillar of Kenya’s economic blueprint and Vision 2030, seeks to provide globally competitive quality education, training, and research for the country’s industrial takeoff. It is for this reason that the M.Ed. in Educational Foundations programme intends to enhance the training of the personnel needed to guide education theory and practice in the country. The programme will equip professional teachers and educators with the requisite knowledge, skills and values to work as teachers, tutors, lecturers, policy makers and managers in the education sector in Kenya and elsewhere.