Abstract:
: Various policy documents indicate that the Government of Kenya’s official position is
that pedagogy of values education does not differ fundamentally from that of other subjects. This
paper interrogates the assumption through the lens of Socrates’ deliberations on virtue and its
aspects, values, as well as Dewey’s concept of appreciation. The paper submits that teacher
education in values education differs significantly from that of other subjects. Close reference is
made to the secondary school Life Skills Education (LSE) course because it is currently a valuebased programme in the country. The inquiry outlines key competencies prospective teachers of
values education ought to acquire in order to effectively implement the course. They should
acquire both first-order and second- order subject matter proficiency, as well as competence in
values education pedagogy. Besides acquisition of these competencies, they should display
appropriate personal and professional dispositions. Individuals who have been prepared to
teach other subjects lack these competencies and dispositions that are prerequisite for effective
practice of values education. The deliberations in the paper should inform teacher education
reforms anticipated by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development.