The Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in Africa (CEMASTEA), has stepped-up efforts aimed at addressing underperformance in STEM-related subjects in secondary schools in the country.

The ambitious programme seeks to upscale the teaching of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects in secondary schools, as part of the government’s initiative towards vision 2030. The initiative is being spearheaded by CEMASTEA, a State Corporation under the Ministry of Education.

The State Corporation is carrying out an outreach and mentorship programme to motivate and inspire students to pursue STEM subjects in secondary schools and tertiary institutions.

Speaking during the close of a one-week outreach programme at Shitoli Secondary School in Kakamega county, CEMASTEA National Trainer Clotilda Nyongesa Murambi, said the use of models and play based learning helps to remove the stereotypes that sciences are meant for a particular group. “We stir them up for STEM for gearing towards the fourth industrial revolution and also just changing the world around us. When they engage with the apparatus and the experiments even girls know that gender is not an issue, that regardless of your background you can understand the STEM Subjects,” she noted.

She explained that the programme is based on a survey carried out by the Ministry of Education that revealed that candidates in secondary schools have continued to underperform in science related subjects in national examinations over the years.

The research, conducted in 2016, in selected 102 secondary schools revealed a high rate of underperformance in science and mathematics subjects.

It is further revealed by other studies that only 22 per cent of Kenyan university students pursue courses in STEM subjects compared to 70 per cent in Asian Tiger countries like South Korea and Singapore.

The STEM activities are premised on students taking-up mathematics and science related subjects and pursue STEM-related courses in tertiary education and is geared towards promoting learner-centred lessons for effective implementation of the curriculum.

According to Dr Karanja Mutito, a National Trainer with CEMASTEA, the STEM subjects are envisioned in the Competency Based Curriculum.