Matiang’i seeks to increase uptake of science subjects in varsities

Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has ordered the selection of 47 secondary schools countrywide, whose science teachers will be re-trained.

Matiang’i said the training is meant to increase the uptake of STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) at the university level, which he described as alarming. The order was given to the Centre for Mathematics Science and Technology Africa, which will be required to submit the chosen schools by May.

“These schools will be added to the already existing 105 centres of excellence and the number will be multiplied every year,” said Matiang’i in Nairobi yesterday.

The CS said in the next budget allocation for 2016-2017, he would ‘deliberately’ advocate with bias for more funds to go to training of science teachers compared to those in social sciences and humanities. According to the Ministry of Education, only 22 per cent of students who join university end up taking STEM subjects.