Nairobi — The University of Nairobi will begin training science teachers through distance learning, the Vice Chancellor Crispus Kiamba has said.

The programme is meant to assist diploma teachers acquire degrees, he said during a graduation ceremony at the Kenya Science Teachers College, Nairobi.

The university offers only arts degrees at its Kikuyu campus. A committee of the university's senate in charge of accreditation of colleges would visit the college to assess it capability to offer the university's diplomas and degrees, Prof Kiamba said.

If this plan succeeds, the university will be the second State university to accredit the college after the Juja-based Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.

"We want to initiate immediate discussions between the college and us to start offering degrees and diplomas of the University of Nairobi," he said after awarding diplomas at the 33rd ceremony.

He added that although the criteria (of accreditation) was rigorous, the college has what it takes to pull through.

Prof Kiamba urged institutions of higher learning to start offering women more chances to study, especially in science fields.

Women teachers were necessary to act as role models to young girls, especially in sciences where tradition had it that they were a male domain.

The VC also challenged teachers to ensure that the teaching of sciences and mathematics was simple and enjoyable to encourage young children to study them at higher levels.

The college's principal Patrick Kibui announced that training of teachers at the college emphasised on practical aspects.

He said the college was facing financial difficulties, which had forced it to start income generating projects.

And unlike other insitutions of learning, Mr Kibui said the college had adequate teachers.