As the Junior Secondary school (JSS) learners prepare for transition to grade 10, the Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in Africa (CEMASTEA) has embarked on a transformative STEM outreach and mentorship program aimed at demystifying the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics fields for junior school learners across Busia County.

The initiative which advocates for innovation and utilization of available resources in institution of learning is championing for the hands on skills by equipping the JSS teachers and learners with knowledge and practical skills in the STEM learning areas.

CEMASTEA National Trainer Njeri Mburu, the mentorship program seeks to motivate young learners by offering ideas and strategies that will help them develop creative, innovative and problem-solving skills in the STEM subjects suitable in 21^st Century job market.

According to Njeri, this initiative aims at ensuring 60% learners across the country transition to STEM Pathway to be at pa with global technological demand and diversifying trend in the

“As we gear toward the first grade 10 cohort of Senior Secondary school, the government is racing against time to ensure the 60 per cent transition to STEM pathway is attained. This can only be possible through such outreach programs and sanitization to arouse the interest and curiosity amongst learners which will creat passion for STEM subjects,” noted Njeri.

The initiative, spanning Moody Awori, Angoromu, Kisoko Girls, Lukoni and Ikondokhera Junior schools, addressed the historically low pass rates in science subjects which had been witnessed in most schools in Busia in recent days.

Equipped with computers, laboratory apparatus, and innovative materials, CEMASTEA officials engaged learners and teachers in practical activities to foster interest and proficiency in STEM fields.

The school head teachers lead by Felix Malalu hailed the initiative noting that it stresses on the importance of cultivating an innovative generation capable of driving technological advancement and development in the country.

“This outreach not only has it arouse passion and interest amongst learners in the STEM area, it has also given our science teacher teaching methodologies and skills on activities in mathematics, innovative activities in integrated science, and ICT,” noted Malalu.

He lauded the inclusion of teachers in the outreach efforts, foreseeing enhancements in teaching methods and the practicality of learning, aligned with the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).

The sentiments which was echoed by Eunice Bwire deputy head teacher at Mood Awori primary school who observed that, the lack of equipment’s and resources has contributed to the scarcity of practical learning opportunities in integrated science and mathematics in most government schools.

“Strengthening STEM subjects a program piloted by CEMASTEA has injecting fresh interest in the subjects erstwhile avoided by girls and considered difficult and dull by boys,” said Bwire.

“The knowledge on STEM is dynamic and nothing demonstrates that notion better than CEMASTEA’s through such outreach programs which gives both teachers and learners avenue to experience new methodologies,” she added.

Science teachers led by Cynthia Adhiambo, Juma Amos and Grace Kemunto urged the government through CEMASTEA to conduct regular trainings and outreaches for both teachers and learners so as to expose them to different and new innovative teaching and learning approaches.

“For quality in in-service education and training (INSET), trainers need to be exposed to more training sessions in a timely, efficient and effective manner. This will equipped them with numerous approach on how to handle problems in a specific area of interest,” noted Adhiambo.

Written by Seth Ngero