CS Amina Mohamed says innovation in schools key to future industrialization

Education Cabinet Secretary Amb. Amina Mohamed has said Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) model schools where students are involved in practically addressing problems within their locality hold the key to future industrialization and prosperity of developing countries such as Kenya.

“Innovated projects by students in these schools ought to be accelerated to viable levels for the benefit of the entire nation,” said Amb. Mohamed in a speech read by the Director Policy, Partnerships and East African Community Affairs in the Ministry of Education Mr Darius Mogaka during the disbursement of equipment worth millions of shillings to 102 STEM model schools from all over the country and 39 In-Service Education Training (INSET) centres at the Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in Africa (CEMASTEA).

Amb. Mohamed said her ministry had provided additional funds to procure laptops, printers, and projectors to further support creativity and innovations in schools to prepare the country for the expectations of the 21st century. “The use of schools as the centre for teachers’ capacity development is a success story that needs to be sustained,” she said.

CEMASTEA Director Mr Stephen Njoroge (left) explaing an exhibition to Mr Mogaka

She noted that developed countries were fast resorting to robots not only as teaching tools, but as a means to ease work and commended as timely the proposed introduction of robotic concept in both primary and secondary schools to give students practical examples of how machines work at industrial sites to make science learning more enjoyable. “It is reassuring to note that already 306 teachers from the 102 STEM Model Schools have been inducted on the novel robotic concept,” said Amb. Mohamed.

She said robots were a demonstration that STEM Education went beyond the mere transfer of knowledge to equipping students with critical thinking, problem solving, creative and collaborative skills to help them establish connections between the school, work place, community and the global economy.

“My ministry will continue working with CEMASTEA and other partners to make STEM subjects interesting and appealing to students at all levels,” she declared.

The Cabinet Secretary called for transformative leadership in schools to enhance students’ creativity and innovativeness; harness teachers’ untapped potential to deliver and provide relevant support for making the school an inviting learning place.

She hailed Saint Albert’s Ulanda Girls’ Secondary School in Migori County for an innovative initiative that had students bottle water in a light industry that serves the school and sells water in the neighbourhood giving the school’s income a much needed fillip. Delegates who included principals and County Directors of Education were served with bottled water from the school.

The Director of Teacher Management at the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Ms Mary Rotich said deliberate efforts were being made to improve the professional ability of teachers to execute the new curriculum.

The Director of CEMASTEA Mr Stephen Njoroge announced that the centre would soon start a robotic competition in schools. He said days when science teaching was more theoretical than practical were long gone. “We have shifted from teaching to pass examinations to giving children practical skills to use in life,” said Mr Njoroge.