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STANDARDS AND QUALITY ASSURANCE IN TEACHER EDUCATION IN KENYA. A CASE OF TEACHING KISWAHILI AT MAASAI MARA UNIVERSITY By Nancy K. Ayodi Introduction Maasai Mara University is governed by the regulations of the Ministry of Education on Standards and quality in Education. Quality assurance and standards in education in Kenya is a function of the Directorate of Quality Assurance and Standards which is the professional arm of the Ministry of Education. Directorate of Quality Assurance and Standards Kenya The modern inspectorate in independent Kenya was initiated through the recommendations of the Kenya Education commission of 1964. The directorate was renamed in 2003 (It was formerly the inspectorate division) It includes:•The Directorate of Basic Education, •Directorate of Policy and Planning, •Directorate of Quality Assurance and Standards, •Directorate of Higher Education and Ministry of Science and Technology. Its mandate is that of quality, audit and development with a view of providing supporting services to all education institutions and stakeholders. Objectives of Directorate of Quality Assurance and Standards The main objective is to establish a robust and effective school quality assurance programme. Others are:Monitoring and supervision of curriculum delivery and evaluation. Organization of in-service training programmes for serving teachers and education managers. Monitor the performance of teachers and educational institutions. Ensure the equitable distribution of teachers. Carry out regular and full panel quality assurance and standards assessment. Have a regular reporting to the ministry of education in the general quality of education in Kenya. Advice on the provision of proper and adequate physical facilities in educational institutions. Ensure that the appropriate curriculum is operational in institutions. Organize and administer co-curricular activities. Quality Policy Statement Maintaining academic excellence and professionalism in learning, teaching, research and innovation. Collaborating and benchmarking with other leading institutions of higher learning for continual improvement. Providing customer friendly and market driven services. Recruitment and retaining qualified staff and continually enhancing their competence on emerging trends in relevant areas of specialization. Brief History of Maasai Mara University Established under Maasai Mara Charter 2013. Located in Narok Town along the Narok – Bomet Road. A few kilometers from Maasai Mara Game Reserve; the 7th wonder of the world. Started as a constituent college of Moi University . The current student population stands at 4800. The university has five schools. Kiswahili falls under the School of Arts and Social Sciences. The University hosted the 27th Graduation of Moi University (and the 1st on Maasai Mara University Grounds) on 23rd November 2012. 476 students were conferred with degrees of Moi University and awarded diplomas and certificates of Maasai Mara University. The university is mandated and guided to function as follows:Provide the integration of teaching, research and effective application of knowledge and skills. Participate in the discovery, transmission, preservation and enhancement of knowledge. Provide and advance university education and training to appropriately qualified candidates. Conduct examinations for such academic awards. Examine and make proposals for new facilities, schools, universities, departments, resources and research centers, degree courses and subject of study. Development and expansion of the opportunities for higher education and research. Development as an institution of excellence in teaching, training, scholarships, entrepreneurship, research and consultancy services. Participate in commercial ventures and other activities to the benefit of the institution, the community and stakeholders. Provide programmes, products and services in ways that reflect the principles of equity and social justice. To facilitate students mobility between different programmes at different training institutions and industry. To foster the general welfare of all staff and students. University Vision To be a World Class University committed to academic excellence for development. University Mission To provide Quality University education through innovation teaching research and consultancy services for development. Core values and functions •Teamwork •Professionalism •Creativity and innovativeness •Transparency and accountability •Excellence •Equity and Social justice Standards and Quality Assurance in Teacher Education: A case of teaching Kiswahili at the University. Mechanism have been put in place so as to maintain academic excellence and professionalism in teaching, learning and research of Kiswahili. Strategic linkages and collaborations with other reputable academic institutions. Benchmarking with local universities. Capacity building in terms of conference attendance. Enhancing quality and high standards in teaching, examining and research through: •Approved curriculum •Course allocation based on area of specialty. • Timetabling and adherence to the same. •Teaching guided by a detailed course outline •Kiswahili Seminar Papers presented by the teacher trainees •Proposal writing Standards and Quality Assurance in Teacher Education: A case of teaching Kiswahili at the University. (Cont.) •Setting and internal/external moderation of examinations,. •Processing of examinations •Teaching practice of students. •Supervision of students on teaching practice •Curriculum development and review. Merit and fairness through staff recruitment and selection based on meritocracy. Incorporation of Academic staff in-house seminars, workshops and induction at department level. Committed to our core values. •Teamwork •Professionalism •Creativity and innovativeness •Excellence •Equity and social justice. Leave administration. Existing Gaps in our Institution •Resources – Human and non-human Human Resource – Teaching Staff; Professors, Lecturers and researchers not sufficient. Non-Teaching staff – The following members who support the teaching process are available but need capacity building •Technical staff •Support staff Non-Human Resource - Available but not sufficient •Lecture rooms •Theatres •Study rooms •Offices •Furniture •Boards •Reference materials in the library •No language labs Where we Want to be in 5 Years Time. A double digit growth of enrollment coupled with quality teaching and standards. Have an ICT based learning. Realize a state-of-the-art library with current and relevant references. Increase of office space. Career progression. Diversifying and developing market or client oriented programmes like B.A. Kiswahili with Communication. Strong community collaboration by providing civic education in the promotion of Kiswahili as Kenya’s official and national language for the unification of Kenya and Africa at large. REFERENCES ISO 9001: 2008. The Kenya Constitution 2010. The Universities Act 2012 Maasai Mara University Service Delivery Charter (2011) Current MMU Strategic Plan 2009 – 2012. Ministry of Education: Quality Education for Development: Quality Assurance and Standards. THANK YOU