Trans Nzoia: As the country prepares to fully adopt the Competence Based Education (CBE), stakeholders have been challenged to encourage more learners to take up the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) pathway in senior school.
According to Kenya News Agency, the call was made during a one-week STEM outreach and mentorship program organized by the Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in Africa (CEMASTEA) in Trans Nzoia County. The STEM outreach program, which targeted five junior schools, saw learners being engaged in practical activities where locally available materials were used to teach concepts in Integrated Science, Mathematics, and pre-technical studies.
During the outreach, CEMASTEA national trainer Richard Jakomanyo encouraged teachers to incorporate practical activities in STEM subjects to spark more interest among learners in pursuing the STEM pathway. “This STEM outreach program focuses on equipping junior school learners with skills and knowledge on STEM as they prepare to transit to senior school. We are here to challenge all stakeholders to help our learners develop an interest in the STEM pathway,” he emphasized.
The five junior schools involved in the five-day outreach exercise were A.I.C Konoin, Sinokon, Waitaluk, Kaplamai, and Timaa. The school heads praised the initiative, viewing it as a transformative step in the education sector that provided learners with unforgettable experiences.
Francis Toili Wamalwa, head of African Inland Church (AIC) Konoin Junior School, commended CEMASTEA for not only equipping students with scientific skills but also enhancing their creativity in technological advancements and environmental conservation. He described the hands-on experience facilitated by CEMASTEA as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for learners.
Toili expressed satisfaction with the increased interest among learners to pursue the STEM pathway as they transition to senior school. Nonetheless, he called on the government to assist schools in establishing modern science laboratories and computer labs to further equip learners with scientific and technological skills.
Both learners and teachers who participated in the program acknowledged CEMASTEA’s efforts. Beryl Cherono, a Grade 9 learner at Sinoko Junior School, shared that the outreach exercise provided her with new insights in Mathematics and Integrated Science. Linet Nekesa, a teacher of integrated science at Konoin Junior School, noted that CEMASTEA had furnished them with the necessary knowledge to teach and mentor students on STEM as a career pathway. Charity Kibet, a mathematics and integrated science teacher at Sinoko Junior School, highlighted how CEMASTEA empowered her to develop effective solutions for enhancing learning.