The Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE) has assured candidates that the delayed SNE diploma results will be released soon. About 900 candidates remain without results after the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) issued most teacher examination results on 14 October. The delay affects serving P1 teachers who need the SNE qualification for promotion, deployment and career progression.
Key Takeaways
- SNE diploma results for roughly 900 KISE candidates are still pending but expected “very soon.”
- KNEC released most teacher exam results on 14 October but only colleges that cleared payments received candidate results.
- Passing the SNE diploma opens routes for P1 teachers to be deployed to special schools and to seek promotion.
- Serving teachers can apply for the in-service SNE diploma at KISE; forms are available via the Ministry of Education or county offices.
Overview of the delay and who is affected
KNEC released teacher examination results for more than 10,000 candidates, covering DPTE, DSTE, TCAE and SNE levels. However, candidates who trained at KISE — including many who took the course through in-service training — are still waiting. KISE says it is resolving outstanding issues and urges candidates to remain patient while the institute finalises the release.
Why the SNE diploma results matter
The SNE diploma results determine immediate career steps for many teachers. For serving P1 teachers, a Diploma in Special Needs Education is used by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to:
- Deploy teachers to special schools and special units to fill staffing gaps.
- Support promotion and redeployment opportunities tied to higher qualification.
- Ensure learners with visual, hearing, physical and intellectual disabilities get trained teachers.
How serving teachers can apply for the in-service SNE diploma
Serving TSC teachers who want the two-year, full-time in-service SNE diploma at KISE should obtain application forms from one of two places:
- The Ministry of Education website (downloadable forms).
- The nearest County Director of Education (CDE) or Sub-County Director of Education (SCDE) office.
Completed forms are submitted in person to the SCDE office by a date usually set in April for the May intake. Areas of specialisation vary and have included Visual Impairments, Hearing Impairments, Autism, Deafblindness, Physical Impairments, and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
Admission requirements
- Be below 50 years of age.
- Hold a P1 certificate or P1 by promotion through Teacher Proficiency Courses.
- Have served as a TSC teacher for at least five years.
- Be a Kenyan citizen.
Documents required at registration
- Duly filled application form in the applicant’s own handwriting (exceptions for visual impairment).
- Original and certified copies of academic certificates.
- Original and certified copy of the TSC appointment letter and professional training certificate.
- Original and certified copy of National ID (both sides) or passport.
- Recent coloured passport-size photograph and other relevant testimonials.
DPTE graduates, the C1 question and recruitment timing
Many DPTE candidates are already receiving results through their Teacher Training Colleges. Successful DPTE graduates can apply for employment with the TSC. The TSC has indicated it will conduct recruitment and replacements in November. DPTE graduates who join TSC are placed at job group C1; primary and secondary diploma career paths then diverge, with promotion rules differing by cadre.
Changing qualification landscape
The teacher training framework is shifting. The government plans to phase out DPTE and replace it with the Diploma in Teacher Education, Pre-Primary and Primary (DTE PP&P), which trains teachers for PP1 to Grade 6 in line with the CBC. A revised set of Career Progression Guidelines (CPG) is proposed to change entry points and promotion routes for primary diploma holders. Candidates should track these changes as they will affect long-term career planning.
What candidates should do now
- Keep in regular contact with KISE through official channels and avoid rumours.
- Prepare and safekeep registration documents so they are ready when results are released.
- Monitor TSC announcements on recruitment, deployment and redeployment to special schools.
- Follow developments on the new CPG and the phase-out of DPTE and P1 qualifications.
Useful resources
Teachers and candidates preparing for diploma or CBC-related roles can use these resources for study and planning:
- Past papers for Diploma in Education — useful for exam practice and revision.
- CBC curriculum designs — for teachers aligning lessons to the Competency Based Curriculum.
- CBC lesson plans — practical lesson templates for classroom use.
The situation remains fluid. KISE’s latest message is that the delay is temporary and that outstanding issues are being resolved. Candidates who trained to serve learners with special needs should stay ready and follow official updates so they can act quickly when the SNE diploma results are published.
