The Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in Africa (CEMASTEA) is mandated to enhance the capacity of mathematics and science teachers for effective curriculum delivery. Mathematics and science are the building blocks of technology and therefore CEMASTEA’s role is critical in helping the country to achieve Vision 2030 and the Big Four Agenda.

The training involves the use of two tier cascade system to effectively undertake INSET where Trainers of Trainers (ToT’s) are trained at the National Level and in turn train teachers in the counties. This year’s County INSET kicked off in20 counties country wide for a week.

The training is geared towards helping the teachers become better and more effective in teaching the learners. A lot of emphasis is on learner-centred activities that eventually help by opening up learners thinking

The theme of the training is ‘Effective Use of Learner Centered Strategies in Teaching and Learning’. The Learning outcomes of the training are:

By the end of the training, the teachers are expected to demonstrate:

1. Understanding of the 21^st Century skills and Competency Based Curriculum
2. The right knowledge, skills, and attitudes in designing innovative learner-centred activities including Project based learning and ICT integration
3. Ability to reduce HIV and AIDS stigma and discrimination.

In 2019, 1,100 County trainers were trained by CEMASTEA National trainers. The County trainers are expected to train 11,709 Mathematics and science teachers drawn from 47 counties during the April and August 2019 school holidays.

CEMASTEA is using a total of 46 training centers. A total of 6,219 teachers of mathematics and science are undergoing training in April 2019.

REPORTS FROM VARIOUS COUNTIES

MARSABIT COUNTY

The training was opened on 22rd April 2019 by the Marsabit County Director of Education, Mr Paul Mwongera.

Marsabit County Director of Education, Mr. Paul Mwongera

Mr Mwongera appreciated that the teachers undergoing training in the County were energetic and full of potential. He echoed the importance of STEM subjects, linking them as key to the achievement of the SDGs Vision 2030 and the Big Four Agenda.

He appreciated CEMASTEA for taking the lead in assuring that secondary mathematics and science teacher were being capacity build in STEM.

The teachers were challenged to be innovative and encourage their students to value STEM subjects.

From left: Mr Ogwel Atieng’ CEMASTEA National trainer making his remarks during the opening ceremony and Participants during the training

BUNGOMA COUNTY

While speaking as the chief guest at Friends School Kamusinga Mr. Aden Ibrahim TSC- CD Bungoma County challenged the teachers that the training offered them an opportunity  to learn new pedagogy, relearn new skills in teaching and  learning and would remind them what they learnt in institutions of higher learning.  He reiterated that, since the training targeted teachers whose teaching experience ranged from 0-5 years this would see them act as agents of change in schools by implementing and cascading what they learnt from the sessions.

Mr. Aden Ibrahim TSC- CD speaking during the opening ceremony of the County INSET at Friends School Kamusinga – Bungoma County

He stated that it was essential for teachers to undertake training not only as a requirement from TSC but also as a way to enhance their skills which would improve leaners’ ability to understand STEM subjects. Mr. Ibrahim urged the participants to focus on leaner centred strategies in teaching the 21^st Century leaner.

Mr. John Livingstone Makanda- Secondary Programme Coordinator representing the Director CEMASTEA urged the participants to practice the skills they would acquire as it was in line with the new Competency Based Curriculum (CBC). Mr. Makanda advised them to develop innovative teaching and learning methods which would engage the 21^st Century learner.

Mr. John Livingstone Makanda- Secondary Programme Coordinator giving his opening remarks during the training.

Participants following the proceedings

Mr. Jasper Sifuna, Trainer Physics facilitating the session on 21^st Century skills

MURANGA COUNTY

Teachers from Murang’a County attending the April, 2019 INSET training, were encouraged to be game changers in their schools.

A section of the participants during the opening ceremony

Mr. Peter Kavuria - Sub County Director of Education, Kahuro representing the chief guest during the opening ceremony of the April 2019 INSET remarked  that the training is geared towards helping the teachers become better and more effective in teaching the learners. He emphasized the need  to put a lot of emphasis is on learner-centred activities which  eventually help by opening up learners thinking. The teachers were also advised to have the right attitude, be competent as they embraced Competency Based Curriculum (CBC),  Integration of Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) in teaching and learning and also applying learner centredness in teaching and learning was emphasised.

Mr. Kavuti - Sub County Director of Education, Kahuro representing the County Director of Education during the opening ceremony

Mrs. Njihia – Principal Kahuhia Girls’ talking to the participants making her remarks during the opening ceremony

Mr. Waibochi National Trainer CEMASTEA giving his remarks during the training

Mr. Jalang’o Odhiambo County Trainers during the opening ceremony of the training

Participants engage in an activity on the ASEI-PDSI approach aimed at continuously rallying and focusing teachers on certain elements that are useful in making classroom practices more learner-centred