The Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology in Africa (CEMASTEA) has said that the Science, Technology and Mathematics (STEM) pathway should be strengthened to equip learners with skills relevant to the job market and enhance the country’s socioeconomic development.
The organization’s National Trainer, Richard Jakomanyo, noted that more resources needed to be committed to equipping laboratories in Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) to enable the learners to receive adequate exposure to practical skills through STEM.
The trainer called for quality learning resources to enhance teaching and learning experiences to make education more effective, engaging and productive.
He said practical experiments, simulations, and problem-solving activities encouraged learners to actively participate in the learning process, thus fostering critical thinking and creativity.
At the forum held in Homa Bay, Philip Aduda, a school head teacher, asked the CEMASTEA team to conduct such outreach programmes regularly to as many schools as possible to equip learners with practical skills in Science and Mathematics.
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He said that the sciences would open up many opportunities for the learners.
Evans Olunga, a mathematics teacher, pointed out that one of the major challenges in rolling out the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) in schools is the lack of adequate resources, particularly laboratory equipment.
Grade 9 learner Phoebe Esther shared her excitement about the practical lessons from CEMASTEA instructors, which helped her gain a deeper understanding of geometry in Mathematics.
She expressed confidence that interacting with the instructors would improve her grades during assessments as she prepares to join senior school next year.
She also urged the organisation to conduct similar outreach programmes more frequently, noting that her school lacked adequate laboratory science equipment.
Another learner, Gerald Odhiambo, said he was thrilled to observe plant cells using modern microscopes brought in by the CEMASTEA team.
He added that the students also benefited from access to modern physics and chemistry equipment for practical lessons.
By Fredrick Odiero
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