Dr. Norman Kiogora Champions Inclusive Teacher Training at National Education Deans’ Forum

Director General of the Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE), Dr. Norman Kiogora, has called for a transformative approach to teacher education that places inclusion, innovation, and responsiveness at the heart of Kenya’s learning system.

Speaking during the Commission for University Education (CUE) Education Deans’ Forum hosted at KISE, Dr. Kiogora emphasized that the future of education depends on preparing teachers who are equipped to address the diverse and evolving needs of learners in modern classrooms.

He noted that hosting a forum of such national significance at KISE was a strong affirmation of the critical role inclusive education plays in shaping Kenya’s educational future. As universities and teacher-training institutions rethink curriculum and pedagogy, he urged stakeholders to ensure that inclusion remains a central pillar in policy formulation, curriculum development, and classroom practice.

Dr. Kiogora highlighted emerging areas that should increasingly form part of teacher preparation programmes, including digital inclusion, assistive artificial intelligence, trauma-informed teaching approaches, universal design for learning, and strategies that address the intersectionality of learners’ experiences.

According to the KISE Director General, today's educators must be prepared not only to teach but also to respond effectively to the diverse realities that learners bring into the classroom. He observed that educational institutions have a responsibility to develop professionals capable of creating equitable learning environments where every learner has an opportunity to thrive.

The education expert also underscored the need for stronger collaboration between universities, colleges, and practitioners in curriculum development, arguing that such partnerships are essential for producing teachers whose skills align with emerging educational demands.

Dr. Kiogora further called for increased investment in research-driven solutions to address contemporary challenges in education, including the growing prevalence of autism and other developmental conditions that require specialized support and interventions.

He commended the Commission for University Education, under the leadership of Mike Kuria, for convening the forum and for its continued efforts to promote quality, accessible, and inclusive education across the country.

His remarks reinforced KISE's position as a leading institution in advancing inclusive education and highlighted the growing importance of ensuring that every learner, regardless of ability or background, is supported through a responsive and forward-looking education system.