The Ministry of Education (MoE) has directed schools to facilitate the training of science laboratory technicians in a new programme aimed at strengthening the implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) and improving learners' performance in science subjects.
In a circular dated October 1, 2026, Principal Secretary for Basic Education John Ololtuaa asked regional, county and sub-county directors of education to communicate the training requirements to school principals and support the participation of laboratory technicians.
The training, organised by the Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in Africa (CEMASTEA), will target technicians serving in junior and senior schools across the country.
According to the ministry, deploying qualified laboratory technicians to support teachers in maximising the use of laboratory facilities has been shown to improve learners' performance and increase uptake of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). CEMASTEA has developed a training module that was successfully piloted with 101 laboratory technicians, with the ministry reporting encouraging results.(Education News Kenya — https://educationnews.co.ke/news/moe-orders-schools-to-pay-for-science-laboratory-technicians-training-under-new-cbc-drive)
The five-day programme will be conducted in three cohorts between November and December 2026, with schools expected to meet the cost of participation. Technicians attending as full-board trainees will pay Sh25,500, while day scholars will be charged Sh13,500.
The first cohort is scheduled to train from November 24 to 27, followed by the second from November 30 to December 4, with the third cohort attending training from December 8 to 11, 2026. The ministry said further logistical details would be communicated to schools through county directors of education.
Ololtuaa urged education officials to help principals facilitate the participation of their laboratory technicians by providing financial support for the training.
The initiative comes as schools implement the CBC, which places emphasis on practical learning and the development of learners' competencies, with strengthened laboratory support expected to help teachers make better use of available science facilities and expose learners to more practical learning experiences. The circular was copied to CEMASTEA's chief executive officer for further coordination.
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