The Department of Primary Education (DPE) was established in 1981. It aims to provide excellence in preparation and development of quality basic education and intends to continue the advancement of the intellectual and human resource capacity of the nation through the provision of comprehensive in-service programs. It currently runs two programmes, the B.Ed Primary Education and the B.Ed Educational Management.

The B.Ed Primary programme is a double major programme comprised of Primary Education and the Area of Concentration (the traditional teaching option) and therefore translates into five possible combinations of Primary Education and the Area of Concentration of Maths & Science, Languages, Social/Studies, Special Topics and Practical Subjects. This programme is composed of Core courses, Optional courses, Electives and General Education Courses (GEC) and offers a degree in B.Ed Primary to in service teachers.

B.Ed Educational Management programme has attracted clients from various education sectors such as secondary and primary departments, police, vocational colleges, and general educational administrators from various sectors. Candidates for the program are both from within and outside the country. In line with vision 2016 and the UB vision and mission, the goal of the programme is to provide leadership skills for the education sector.