Nairobi: Junior Secondary School (JSS) learners in Nyamira County have been encouraged to embrace Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) pathways as they prepare to transition to senior school under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
According to Kenya News Agency, the call was made by Joseph Kuria, Coordinator for Special Programmes and Student Learning at the Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in Africa (CEMASTEA), during the closing ceremony of a week-long STEM outreach programme held at Nyamira Primary School. Kuria emphasized the programme’s intent to ignite interest in science and technology subjects among learners, inspiring them to pursue STEM-related careers. This initiative aligns with ongoing education reforms aimed at increasing the number of learners enrolling in STEM pathways at the senior school level.
Kuria elaborated that the objective of the outreach programme is to arouse interest and motivate learners to take up STEM subjects as they transition
to senior school. The government aims for more than 60 percent of learners joining senior school to enroll in STEM pathways as part of the curriculum reforms. The outreach programme exposed learners to subjects like mathematics, integrated science, physics, biology, chemistry, and Information Communication Technology (ICT) through practical, learner-centred approaches designed to simplify complex scientific concepts.
According to Kuria, the programme focuses on demonstrating that science can be enjoyable, understandable, and relevant to everyday life when taught through hands-on experiences rather than relying solely on theoretical instruction. The learners who participated in the programme expressed enthusiasm about the practical approach used during the sessions, saying it helped them understand and retain scientific concepts more effectively.
Sharon Kirota, a learner at Nyambaria Junior Secondary School, shared that the practical lessons transformed her understanding of biology and other science subjects
. She appreciated the opportunity to use a microscope to observe and draw a plant cell, enhancing her ability to identify its parts, which was previously limited to textbook pictures. This experience boosted her confidence in answering science questions and handling laboratory equipment.
School administrators also praised the outreach programme, noting that practical learning helps learners make sense of scientific concepts that are often perceived as abstract. Nyambaria Comprehensive School Principal David Okemwa highlighted the immense benefits to both teachers and learners, particularly through the practical component where learners used laboratory apparatus to conduct experiments and obtain results, making science meaningful and enjoyable.
Okemwa appealed to the Ministry of Education to increase capitation for STEM programmes and provide more laboratory equipment to schools to enhance practical learning. Magombo Curriculum Support Officer George Nyabero echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the critical
role of practical learning in shaping positive attitudes toward STEM subjects and countering learners’ negative perceptions fostered by excessive reliance on theoretical teaching methods.
Kuria acknowledged the challenge of inadequate laboratory infrastructure in many schools but encouraged teachers to improvise using locally available materials and resources to support practical learning. As part of the outreach programme, CEMASTEA donated assorted laboratory equipment, including light microscopes and other science apparatus, to participating schools to strengthen practical science teaching and improve learning outcomes.
Kuria stated that the outreach initiative has covered about 20 counties across the country, with Nyamira County being the final target under this year’s programme. Selected schools are expected to serve as benchmarks for neighboring institutions, encouraging wider adoption of innovative teaching and learning practices.
For schools that may not benefit directly from the outreach programme,
CEMASTEA offers opportunities for educational visits to its centre in Nairobi, where teachers and learners can interact with modern teaching technologies and innovative STEM learning activities. The programme has received positive feedback from both teachers and learners in all the counties visited, aligning closely with curriculum designs and classroom learning objectives.
The five-day outreach programme in Nyamira County was conducted in one Junior Secondary School from each sub-county, including Kebabe Comprehensive School in Nyamira North, Nyambaria Comprehensive School in Manga, Gesibei Comprehensive School in Borabu, Kierira Comprehensive School in Kitutu Masaba North, and Nyamira DEB School in Nyamira South.
