Homa bay School benefits from a science & math outreach program

Students from Homa Bay Primary and Junior Secondary School have gained significant advantages from the outreach program focused on science and mathematics, organized by the Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in Africa (CEMASTEA).

According to Richard Jakomanyo, the National Trainer for the organization, the initiative was designed to provide ninth-grade students with practical competencies in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics as they prepare for their transition to senior secondary education.

Jakomanyo emphasized the necessity of strengthening the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) pathway to better equip students with skills pertinent to the labor market, thereby contributing to the socioeconomic advancement of the nation.

He highlighted the urgent need for increased investment in laboratory resources within Junior Secondary schools to ensure that students receive adequate practical exposure.

The trainer asserted that high-quality educational resources significantly enhance the teaching and learning experience, rendering education more effective, engaging, and productive.

He noted that practical experiments, simulations, and problem-solving activities promote active student participation in the learning process, thereby fostering critical thinking and creativity.

Philip Aduda, the head teacher of the school, encouraged the CEMASTEA team to conduct such outreach initiatives regularly across a broader range of schools to equip students with essential practical skills in science and mathematics.

He remarked that proficiency in science and technology would unlock numerous career opportunities for the students.

Evans Olunga, a mathematics teacher, identified inadequate resources, particularly laboratory equipment, as a significant challenge in the implementation of the competency-based curriculum in schools.

Phoebe Esther, a ninth-grade student, expressed that the practical lessons provided by the CEMASTEA instructors had deepened her understanding of geometry in mathematics. She conveyed her confidence that her interactions with the instructors would enhance her performance in assessments as she prepares to advance to senior school next year.

The student also urged the organization to increase the frequency of similar outreach programs at their school, citing a lack of sufficient scientific equipment in their laboratories.

Another student, Gerald Odhiambo, expressed his enthusiasm for observing plant cells through modern microscopes provided by the CEMASTEA team. He noted that they also benefited from the opportunity to utilize contemporary physics and chemistry equipment during practical lessons.