- CEMASTEA has begun training 240 county trainers on the use of virtual laboratories in Mathematics and Integrated Science.
- The programme is expected to reach more than 7,000 Junior School teachers across the country through a cascade training model.
- Education officials say virtual laboratories will help bridge resource gaps and expand access to practical STEM learning.
The Ministry of Education, through the Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in Africa (CEMASTEA), has launched training for Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) county trainers on the use of virtual laboratories in Mathematics and Integrated Science.
A total of 240 trainers will undergo a three-day training programme from June 18 to June 20, 2026, at CEMASTEA.
The trainers will later cascade the training to Junior School Mathematics and Integrated Science teachers between June 24 and June 26, 2026.
The trained officers are expected to train about 7,000 Junior School Mathematics and Integrated Science teachers on the use of virtual laboratories.
The teachers will, in turn, train their colleagues within their respective institutions to expand the programme’s reach nationwide.
Addressing Resource Challenges
Joyce Ireri from the Ministry of Education’s Department of Basic Education, who represented the Director of Junior School Education, said virtual laboratories would play a critical role in supporting schools that lack adequate resources for practical learning.
She noted that studies conducted by CEMASTEA in 2023, 2024 and 2025 indicate that while implementation of Competency-Based Education (CBE) in Junior Schools is progressing, inadequate teaching and learning resources remain a significant challenge, particularly in STEM subjects.
“These innovations are not just technological tools; they are bridges to equity, ensuring that even schools without physical laboratories can still conduct meaningful practical lessons. They represent our commitment to leaving no learner behind,” she said.
Philip Maate, Coordinator of the Senior School and Junior School Programme at CEMASTEA, said the virtual laboratories would provide learners with opportunities for hands-on experiences and help develop science process skills.
“We are targeting STEM-related subjects in Junior Schools. We have provided a link on the CEMASTEA website where users can access a variety of developed laboratories, and we are continuously developing more,” he said.
Accessible Online and Offline
Maate added that the virtual laboratories can be accessed through the CEMASTEA website and downloaded for offline use.
He noted that schools without internet connectivity can still use the platforms once downloaded, while the laboratories can also be accessed through mobile phones.
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Education officials expressed confidence that the initiative will strengthen practical learning in STEM subjects and support effective implementation of Competency-Based Education across the country.
By Obegi Malack
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