The Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Education, Ezekiel Machogu, has said that Kenya is strengthening the teaching of Mathematics and Science to increase the number of students who join science-related courses and careers.

He stated that the education reforms the government is undertaking aim at identifying and developing the individual potential of children to the best possible extent.

“We believe this will give them opportunities to pursue their interests,” observed Machogu.

The CS spoke when he received the President for Strengthening Mathematics and Science Education in Africa (SMASE Africa), Dr. Benson Banda, at his office on Wednesday in Nairobi.

Machogu said the new grading system for the remaining cohort of 8.4.4 learners will also help create career opportunities in STEM for students who have strengths in Mathematics and Science, as the grading will take into account mathematics and any of the languages as compulsory subjects.

In his remarks, Dr. Banda, who is also the Director at the National Science Centre, Ministry of General Education in Zambia, revealed that the lack of integration of policy, research, and practice in STEM has undermined the potential in Africa in developing and applying the knowledge and skills.

He therefore advised that Africa should use its resources to safeguard the interests of the continent.

The Director asked the CS, in his capacity as the patron of Strengthening Mathematics and Science Education in Africa (SMASE Africa), to impress on his fellow Ministers of Education in Africa to invest in and support STEM education in Africa.

Also in attendance was the Principal Secretary for Basic Education, Dr. Belio Kipsang, who said that the Ministry had made 103 STEM schools to build students’ interest in Mathematics and Science.

Present during the meeting included the Director General, Dr. Elyas Abdi; the Chairperson of the Centre for Mathematics Science Technology in Africa, (CEMASTEA), Dr. Pius Mutisya; and the Director of CEMASTEA, Mrs. Jacinta Akatsa.