The School of Educational Sciences of Tallinn University supports Kenyan universities in their transition to competency-based teacher education

T

The School of Educational Sciences of Tallinn University and the Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV) have supported Kenyan universities in modernising teacher education and introducing a competency-based approach. By the end of 2024, 11 Kenyan universities had already adopted a model curriculum developed at Tallinn University, enabling a shift from subject-based teaching towards competency-oriented teacher preparation.

The adoption of the model is an important step in reforming teacher education in Kenya. It enables the creation of a more learner-centred and modern curriculum that responds to the needs of today’s teacher preparation.

Competency-based curricula reach all universities

The project’s closing conference was held at Embu University, where training manuals were handed over to the representatives of Kenyan universities. These materials make it possible to implement the competency-based curricula more broadly and share knowledge with other institutions providing teacher education.

“Now it is our turn to share experience”

Professor of Teacher Education at the School of Educational Sciences, Katrin Poom-Valickis, highlighted the international and value-based dimension of the project: “When Estonia regained independence, the Nordic countries supported us. Now it is our turn to share our experience and knowledge in teacher education and in developing competency-based teacher preparation."

A central role for Tallinn University in development cooperation

Experts from Tallinn University contribute to the reform of teacher education in Kenya on several levels – developing competency-based curricula, strengthening universities’ research capacity, and supporting teachers’ professional development. In addition, collaboration focuses on digital competences and the development of research capabilities in teacher education.

At the high-level education seminar “Strengthening Teacher Education and Professionalism in Kenya”, held in Nairobi, several projects led by Tallinn University were presented and highlighted as positive examples of supporting Kenya’s education reform.

Long-term impact for teachers and learners

Cooperation with Kenyan universities creates the conditions for higher-quality teacher education, supports professional growth, and contributes to the implementation of education reforms across the country. Tallinn University continues this development cooperation with the aim of strengthening international partnerships and sharing Estonia’s experience in modern teacher preparation.