School heads across the country have been asked invest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education in a bid to enhance and retain science skills.
Chief Executive Officer for Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in Africa (CEMASTEA) has said that the demand for STEM workers is rising throughout the globe.
He added that STEM jobs, in the next decade, are expected to grow double as compared to other occupations.
The CEO further observed that that all education stakeholders should be committed in promoting interest in STEM subjects as well as investing in the appropriate technologies and tools to increase the quality of teaching and learning in these subjects.
She made the remarks during a consultative forum at CEMASTEA headquarters in Karen, Nairobi where she addressed head teachers drawn from 103 STEM schools across the country.
She added that as a result of present curriculum, 60 per cent of the students in Senior Schools will embrace STEM pathway as they progress.
She said, “The vision of the centre is excellence in Teacher Professional Development in Africa and the Mission is to transform teaching by continuously developing competencies for effective curriculum delivery and improved quality of education.”
In line with Kenya’s Vision 2030 of training and research to her citizens for development and individual well-being and providing globally competitive quality education, CEMASTEA is keen on improving the quality of STEM education.
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“The purpose is to improve the quality of teaching mathematics and science education by enhancing pedagogical skills of teachers which in turn is expected to help young Kenyans in schools develop and acquire relevant core competencies such as communication and collaboration, critical thinking and problem-solving, creativity and imagination, citizenship, self- efficacy, digital literacy and learning to learn,” she added.
“The centre is equipping public schools with STEM teaching kits which include chemistry equipment, desktop computers, and three mathematics problem-solving books titled ‘How to solve problems, ‘Mathematical problem solving’ and ‘Problem-solving strategies’.”
She added that CEMASTEA’s projects are intended at establishing a strong foundation in STEM education and addressing inequalities in the education system.
“There’s also a need for teachers to create communities of practice to deliver quality STEM education. Mentorship and guidance in STEM fields is one of the fastest-growing areas to get young people interested in educational opportunities and global competitiveness. This will minimize the dilution of the talent pipeline that continues to hurt the economy,” she said.
CEMASTEA established in 2004 provides In-Service Education and Training (INSET) for Science and Mathematics teachers in in the country and Africa.
The centre also leverages on the accomplishments realised under the Strengthening of Mathematics and Science in Secondary Education (SMASSE) that started in 1998 as a pilot INSET project.
By our reporter
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