School leaders nationwide have received a call to prioritize investment in STEM education to bolster the retention and enhancement of scientific skills. The Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in Africa (CEMASTEA) emphasized the growing global demand for STEM professionals, underscoring the need for educational stakeholders to promote and invest in STEM subjects accordingly.
Anticipating a significant rise in STEM job opportunities compared to other fields over the next decade, the CEO highlighted the imperative for collaborative efforts among all education stakeholders. This includes stimulating student interest in STEM disciplines and ensuring the availability of relevant technologies and tools to enrich the teaching and learning experience.
During a consultative forum at CEMASTEA headquarters in Karen, Nairobi, the CEO addressed head teachers from 103 STEM-focused schools across the country. She advocated for a curriculum that challenges students to pursue the STEM pathway, aiming for 60 percent of senior school students to engage in STEM-related courses under the new curriculum framework.
CEMASTEA’s vision centers on achieving excellence in teacher professional development across Africa. Their mission focuses on transforming teaching practices through continuous competency development, effective curriculum delivery, and enhancing overall education quality.
Aligned with Kenya’s Vision 2030, which emphasizes training and research for national development and citizen well-being, CEMASTEA aims to elevate the teaching standards of mathematics and science. This effort aims to cultivate essential competencies among Kenyan youth, including communication, collaboration, critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, digital literacy, citizenship, self-efficacy, and lifelong learning skills.
Actively contributing to these goals, CEMASTEA is involved in equipping public schools with STEM teaching resources. These resources include chemistry equipment, desktop computers, and specialized mathematics problem-solving books designed to enhance student learning outcomes.
Moreover, CEMASTEA’s initiatives seek to address educational inequalities and establish a robust foundation for STEM education. The CEO stressed the importance of community-wide teacher practices to achieve high-quality STEM education. Mentorship and guidance in STEM fields play a crucial role in fostering youth interest, expanding educational opportunities, and enhancing global competitiveness, thereby strengthening the talent pipeline for the nation’s economy.
Established in 2004, CEMASTEA was founded to provide in-service education and training for science and mathematics teachers across Kenya and Africa. Building on the success of various initiatives, including the Strengthening of Mathematics and Science in Secondary Education, CEMASTEA continues to advance STEM education and teacher development in the region.
