Government to allocate more resources to Mathematics, Science training

The Ministry of Education says it will increase resources allocation for teacher training in Science, Mathematics, Technology and Engineering in order to bridge the gap that exists between learner specialization in humanity and science in learning institutions.

This follows a worrying statistical trend released by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), a development partner in education, showing that three out of four pupils, not only in Kenya but across Africa, are not able to solve simple numerical basic exercise.

Speaking on Wednesday morning at the Centre of Mathematics and Science Education in Africa (CEMASTEA) in Karen, Nairobi while unveiling a Regional Conference of Mathematics and Science Education in Africa, Education Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i attributed the gap to inadequate teacher training, limited financial investment and human resource in the science and mathematics departments.

Dr. Matiang’i said the Education Ministry was building a platform and framework that focuses on advanced and heightened training in science, mathematics and technology with a view of increasing the intake and training of more teachers in such subjects.

He said time had come for African states to stop planning on how to bridge the gap and instead asked the 54 governments in the continent to take decisive actions that fosters teaching and performance in the trio units.

The CS also urged African nations to adopt a competent based curriculum system of education that will focus on developing local talent and creativity among the youth within the continent.

“We need to re-align and re-orient our education system towards science, technology and mathematics,” he said.

Matiang’i also urged the representatives from over 25 countries who are taking part in the conference and invest in technical training institutes.

He said Kenya has established 290 Vocational Training Institutes in every Constituency across the country to scale up technology in the industrial sector.

Matian’gi tasked CEMASTEA Executive Director Stephen Njoroge to create 47 Secondary Schools in the counties to act as supplementary focal training points for teachers in the three subjects.

JICA Executive Director Dr. Takao Toda called on African nations to enhance the supply of supply materials in learning institutions.

“We need to re-visit the exercise of basic necessities in science and mathematics,” said Dr. Toda.