Category: Education

the Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in Africa (CEMASTEA) has rolled out a mentorship and outreach programme to schools to motivate learners to excel in Science, Technology Education and Mathematics (STEM) subjects.
Through the initiative, the State Corporation also aims to empower teachers across the country to deliver on the subjects at the same time spark interest in learners to support the government’s development and industrialization agenda.
CEMASTEA National Trainer Martin Mungai said through working with teachers, the State Corporation domiciled in the Ministry of Education had identified gaps in teaching methodologies adding that through the outreach program, teachers were being exposed to various models and resources that can be used to teach the subjects.
The models, he added, have been designed to simplify various concepts in Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, robotics and coding, Climate Change and Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) to regenerate interest amongst learners.
CEMASTEA, he said, was empowering teachers with skills to use locally available resources to develop the models to aid in practical learning.
‘We realized that the biggest challenge was the lack of a practical approach to teaching STEM subjects. We are therefore demonstrating how teachers can use locally available resources to teach a concept in a very practical manner,’ he said.
The goal, he added, was to renew interest in the subjects through demonstrating their importance to students with a view to encouraging as many students as possible to pursue them.
‘As a country we may not have an opportunity to advance as fast as countries in the west if we do not embrace STEM subjects. So, there is a need to continually encourage our learners to show them the importance of STEM in the development of the country,’ he said.
Speaking during one of the outreach activities at Ken Obura Secondary School in Kisumu, Mungai said the hands-on activities with students will enable teachers to unpack concepts in easy and practical ways.
‘We are trying to connect what they are learning in class to the outside world and the opportunities available if they take up these subjects,’ he said.
CEMASTEA, he disclosed targets to reach at least 50 schools across the country this financial year expressing optimism that the outreach programme will have a ripple effect on performance in the subjects.
‘We have been inviting teachers and students to our innovative laboratories in Nairobi but you realize that most schools are limited with resources and are therefore not able to come,’ he said.
He challenged the teachers to take advantage of the skills acquired through the programme and be innovative to boost performance in the subjects.
‘Creation of an interest in a subject solely depends on the teacher. We encourage our teachers to create a positive attitude amongst the learners particularly in subjects like chemistry and physics and demonstrate to them why they need to pursue them for future possibilities,’ he said.
The trainers also visited St. John’s Christostom Secondary School, Bishop Abiero Shauri Moyo Secondary School and Lions Day Secondary School where students had hands-on experience with various concepts in STEM subjects.
Mungai said the exercise had wooed back students who had opted to drop some of the science subjects urging teachers to inspire hope and encourage more learners to take up the subjects.
‘When you see a number of students revising their choice of subjects after being exposed to these models it shows that there is hope in changing the attitude towards science and mathematics,’ he said.
Speaking during the same occasion, Kisumu Central Sub-County Director of Education Mr. Charles Ang’iela said the outreach programme was critical in reigniting interest in science and mathematics.
Through the programme, he said, more teachers and students will benefit from skills and practical knowledge to boost performance.
‘It is very expensive for a school to transport students and teachers to CEMASTEA headquarters but when they come here, they get in touch with many students and teachers. The equipment they bring to induct the teachers is very effective,’ he said.
The exposure given to students, he said, will help transform their attitude towards the subjects since some of the concepts which hitherto looked difficult have been simplified.
Elvira Gero, a Mathematics and Physics teacher at Bishop Abiero Shauri Moyo Secondary School said the approach by CEMASTEA was set to transform how the subjects are taught in secondary schools.
‘Most of us teachers are competing with coverage of the syllabus so we tend to overlook some practicals, Today I have learnt that if you approach a topic in a practical way, it is grasped faster than when you just do theory,’ she said.
Most of the schools in the area, she said, lacked basic laboratory equipment making it difficult for teachers to break down some of the concepts.
The sensitization by CEMASTEA on use of locally available resources to come up with teaching aids to demystify concepts in science and mathematics, she added, will go a long way in boosting performance in the subjects.

Source: Kenya News Agency

A senior lecturer at the University of Embu bagged a total of Sh106 Million research grants from the German Research Foundation. In a press release to media houses, University of Embu Vice Chancellor Daniel Mugendi said the grants won by Dr Mark Otieno are meant to investigate the functional complimentary between nocturnal and diurnal pollinators along a land-use gradient in Taita Hills biodiversity hotspots in Kenya. While congratulating Dr. Otieno for winning the research grants, the university VC said the research aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Kenya Vision 2030 which aim to promote biodiversity. ‘By studying the impact of human activity on pollinators and plant reproduction, this research will inform sustainable agricultural practices that support biodiversity and food security,’ he stated. He added that the research will also be fundamental in Kenya’s vision 2030 realization towards environmentally sustainable development. The VC also added that the research will inform policy and agricultural practices that promote sustainable development and protect biodiversity in the entire world. He said the research will be running for three years commencing in May 2023 to May 2026 under the implementation of a panel of researchers from the University of Embu spearheaded by Dr Otieno. The University of Wuerzburg in Germany will also be charged in the implementation of the research project and that it will be represented by Prof. Ingolf Steffan-Dewenter and Dr Marcell Peters. The VC stated that the expertise and experience of Prof. Ingolf Steffan-Dewenter and Dr Marcell Peters will be fundamental in the implementation of the research project. Prof Ingolf Steffan-Dewenter is a professor of spatial ecology, plant-pollinator interactions, tropical agroecosystems, and crop pollination while Dr Marcell Peter is an expert in montane biodiversity and ecology, organismic traits and ecosystem functions, and land use change. Dr Otieno who is the Director of Research and Extension at the university said that he believes the research will have a significant impact on food security in Africa by increasing the number of pollinators which is crucial for the reproduction of many plant species. Dr Otieno who holds a PHD in Agroecology from the University of Reading (UK), a Master of Science in Animal Ecology and a Bachelor of Education (Science degree in Biology from Kenyatta university. After his PHD, he joined Alexander von Humboldt Foundation as a research Fellow where he did a study on the influence of landscape and field-scale factors on pollinator and pest natural enemy communities and pollination, pest control, and gene flow in field beans in Lower Franconia Germany.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Lilongwe, Malawi, 20- 24 February 2023 — In Chichewa, one of the indigenous languages of Malawi, there is an old saying: “Kali kokha nkanyama; ali awiri ndi anthu”. Translated to “No man is an island,” it stems from the African indigenous philosophy of uMunthu and reflects the notion that no single person exists as an isolated individual, but rather as a member of their broader community.

The values of ethics, integrity, altruism and empathy that reinforce uMunthu are also those key values that inspire and shape the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)’s work around primary education. Through its methodology to build a culture of rejection of corruption amongst young people around the world, UNODC’s Global Resource for Anti-Corruption Education and Youth Empowerment initiative, or GRACE, works directly at the intersection between Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 (quality education) and SDG16 (building peace, justice and strong institutions), to foster the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

UNODC strongly believes in the progressive change that indigenous philosophies like uMunthu can bring when correctly integrated into formal education systems, while at the same time fostering Pan-Africanism and corruption-free societies.

To advance this, GRACE, the Anti-Corruption Bureau of Malawi (ACB), the Malawi Ministry of Education and the Malawi Institute of Education (MIE), in collaboration with UNDP Malawi, have been working to support the development of primary educational material based on this important African philosophy.

The aim is to create a ‘sourcebook’, i.e. a scripted manual with lesson plans and activities on ethics, integrity, and corruption for teachers to deliver in primary school. By embodying uMunthu values, attitudes and behaviours, the belief is that together it is possible to build just communities where corruption is ultimately rejected.

Ahead of the finalization of this important tool for teachers and the start of trainings in the country, representatives from the partner institutions and the two UN entities held discussions across Malawi. During the dialogues, the perspectives of students, teachers, parents, traditional and religious leaders and civil society were collected on the best way to approach this task and ensure the content is both context-specific and age-appropriate.

“The consultation experience was so enriching and changed the whole perception of the concept of the sourcebook,” noted Catherine Nkhoma, Principal Public Education Officer at the Anti-Corruption Bureau of Malawi and a former teacher herself. “After the consultations, we realized that the material we develop needs to speak to children!”

Over a period of ten days, 180-plus community members, primary school teachers and pupils from Blantyre, Lilongwe, Machinga and Rumphi were consulted.

“We are going to change Malawi. With this, we have an aim to achieve!” said one enthusiastic teacher who was consulted at Henry Henderson Primary School in Blantyre after reading the first unit of the sourcebook.

Currently, all the feedback gathered is being aggregated and will be included in the final sourcebook, which will be used as the foundation to develop a teaching methodology and start training teachers across the country.

Behavioural change is a long-term process, but youth deserve an opportunity to design better futures. As Ms. Nkhoma commented, “While we know corruption is a difficult and cross-sectional problem, we need to start somewhere.”

Source: EMM/ Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Press Secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister, Billene Seyoum called on the the international community based in Addis Ababa to have an active part through various institutional interventions towards cultivating “Generation Medemer.”

The English version of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s newest book ‘Generation Medemer’ was introduced to the international community residing in Addis Ababa in an event jointly hosted by the Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs last night in Addis Ababa.

The event has also brought together members of the business community and high level government officials in addition to the diplomatic communities in Addis Ababa.

Recall ”Generation Medemer”, which is the third series of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s book, was launched last Saturday.

Speaking at the event, the press secretary said that through cultivating the culture of reading, the Medemer books series have also prioritized development projects.

The press secretary pointed out that the prime minister has encouraged the proceeds of the sales for constructions of various legacy and generation projects such as the stadiums, libraries and parks as well as the renovation of natural and historic tourist attractions in various parts of the country.

Therefore, Billene called on the diplomatic and international organizations based in Addis Ababa to support the development of the projects for the coming generation.

“To realize the prosperous development of Ethiopia, we ask you our invited guests to take an active part through your various institutional interventions towards cultivating ‘Generation Medemer’. This Generation will take the nation and the continent to greater heights.”

She further stated that: “We ask you to order the book in bulk. By doing so you are placing your print in supporting the development projects for the coming generation and you are also enabling augmenting a reading culture.”

Foreign Affairs State Minister Mesganu Arga said on his part that the book is aimed at forging intergenerational linkages by debunking the erroneous perceptions and narratives.

Nothing that the Medemer concept can be loosely translated as “synergy”, Mesganu noted that it focuses on Ethiopia’s tapestry of rich heritage while working in unison for its prosperous future.

“Medemer is a new framework of political thought that provides a perspective about our past and insights into our future. The framework aims to heal our wounds, cure our ailments and resolve our problems,” the state minister underlined.

He also said that the book would promote national consensus, peace and development through ensuring good governance. Above all, the book is instrumental in entrenching the importance of national dialogue and transitional justice to Ethiopia, Mesganu revealed.

Dr. Mehret Debebe, President of the African Leadership Excellence Academy (AFLEX) presented a book review and said the book aspires to create a new generation that loves Ethiopia, Africa and the global community.

“The book aspires to create a new generation called ‘Generation Medemer’ that loves the nation and the continent and the global community as well,” he stated.

Mehret, who is also a well-known practicing psychiatrist and an author of two books underscored that Prime Minister Abiy in his “Generation Medemer” book shows the importance of alignment energies to build a strong nation.

Prime Minister Abiy had published two books titled “Medemer” and the “Medemer Journey.”

This latest series, “Generation Medemer”, third series of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s book, is published in the Amharic, Afan Oromo, and English languages.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Kenya’s Defence Cabinet Secretary Mr. Aden Duale Wednesday lauded the Italian government for establishing an international centre for space education in Kenya. He said the centre that is domiciled within the San Marco Luigi Broglio Space Centre in Ngomeni, Kilifi County, was an important facility in training Kenyan engineers and others in the region in ground station and space operations. Speaking when he accompanied Italian Mr. President Sergio Mattarella on a tour of the space centre, Duale said Kenya would leverage on the presence of the facility to build her capacity in space technology in order to realize her socio-economic development aspirations. He said the centre held a special place in the two countries’ diplomatic and strategic relations, forming a strong bond that ties the two nations together. ‘This space centre holds a special place in our diplomatic and strategic relations and a strong bond that ties us together. We appreciate the establishment of the international center for space education as an important facility in training our engineers and others from the region in ground station and space operations,’ he said. The CS said he hoped that the training at the centre would extend to other competencies including the development of the application for earth observation. He said Kenya would like to leverage on the presence of the centre and the good relations it enjoys to truly build her capacity and realize her aspiration as a developing and emerging space authority through a win-win partnership with Italy. Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro appealed to both the Italian and Kenyan governments to ensure that the San Marco Luigi Broglio Space Center benefits both countries equally, and that the local community is not be left out. ‘As a government and an institution, we should do more especially for the people of this region. This station has been here for long since 1967 but very little has been done for the benefit of the local community despite numerous promises being made by the Italian Government,’ he said. Among the promises the Italian government is yet to fulfill is the construction of an eleven-kilometer Mjanaheri-Ngomeni road which leads to the internationally acclaimed space centre where satellite rockets are launched and monitored. ‘From 1972 when the station started, there have been very many promises. We need to have better facilities in this county for both Kenyans and visitors and we need to engage the government very seriously on the matter so that we know where the management of the center can help develop,’ he added. The Chairman of the Kenya Space Agency (KSA), Major General (Rtd) James Aruasa, said that the space center had started benefiting the Kenyan people through training in space technology. ‘The support of the Italian Space Agency to the Kenya Space Agency for human capacity building, infrastructure support, sharing of space derived data on day time digits will go a long way in contributing to our social economic development as well as strengthening bilateral relations and the bonds that exist between us as friendly countries,’ he said. In a speech through an interpreter, the Italian President commended Kenya for the gesture of hosting the space station, saying that the two countries will continue to collaborate in many areas of development. ‘This centre is so important first of all because it intensifies the friendship between Kenya and Italy and it testifies to the strong collaboration between our countries. This centre was created following Kenya’s independence and this is a sign of maturity on your side,’ he said.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The College of Engineering and Technology has graduated over 270 students in various vocational fields.

According to Mr. Filimon Melake, head of the youth organization at the college, a three-month training program was organized to students of the college on various fields including satellite-dish installations, electrical, as well as video editing.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, the Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology in May-Nefhi, Dr. kahsai Neguse, indicating that the training program was foundational, called on the trainees to practically upgrade their skills.

Ms. Mensura Esmael, the head of NUEYS branches in Sawa and Higher Education Institutions on her part, called on the trainees to strengthen organizational capacity.

Finally, an exhibition that was organized by the trainees was presented to participants.

Source: Ministry of Information Eritrea

I was invited by a friend who is an admirer of art, and is also very much interested in the development of art education, to visit Segen Art Gallery. The art gallery is located right about the curve that connects Fiat Tagliero Building with the Semaetat Avenue. I was thrilled to see that it wasn’t just an art gallery, but also a school that gives priority to young women with hearing disabilities and financial problems. The institute used art education as a vehicle for motivation, innovation, empowerment, engagement and then integration.

Segen Art Gallery offers students, mainly the females with hearing disability and socio-economic problems, a solid foundation in drawing, painting, ceramics, design, weaving and other works of art. As an art school, it provides a two-year training through intensive study of technique, theory, concept, and hands on approaches in studio work. The school provides both certificate and diploma programs.

The training center was founded by artists, mostly veteran freedom fighters, with the intention of helping the disadvantaged sections of the society. Artist Demoz Russom, a painter, stage designer, makeup artist and a teacher, is among the founders of Segen Art Gallery. He recalled when a group of artists came together to establish a school and remembered that “we first decided to train young students who contracted HIV from their parents with the objective of giving them hope and help them discover the meaning of life and aesthetics.” The school helped the students to pick up important life skills from such as creativity, confidence, innovation, collaboration, and perseverance among others.

Many believe that art education harnesses creativity, patience, and other vital skills from the students. In a technology and knowledge driven modern society, innovation is a key engine for progress. Art education plays a significant role in fostering the skills and attitudes that are highly required for innovation beyond artistic skills. Art education is often said to be a means of developing critical and creative thinking. Segen Art Gallery is making a concrete and tremendous contribution to the young women living with financial problems and disability by creating a positive impact through technical skills, skills in thinking and creativity, and behavioural and social skills.

Achieving success in art may be attributed to talent, determination, and patience. For low income and women with disability, the financial obstacles often prove to be insurmountable. Segen Art Gallery answers this serious problem by mobilizing resources from various sources to equip the disadvantaged women with the necessary skills so that they can participate, work and integrate in the society. Artist Demoz Russom explained that the mission of the institution is “to produce young artists and help the poor and women with disability to lead their lives through art.” The humanity aspect of this mission is supportive to build a community of creative citizens who are groomed for success in life.

The commitment of Segen Art Gallery to help young women to overcome poverty and disability deserves appreciation and special attention. Artist Demoz Russom added that “Our objective is for our sisters and daughters to join to the world of work and make money for their living. We teach them free of charge. We teach them to be creative, innovative and productive citizens.” His confidence seems well-founded. Currently, thirty five women with hearing problems are already taking the first year of training. Throughout the two-year program, these women receive all classes free-of-charge, and the institute is working to provide them sewing machines during graduation.

Segen Art Gallery is committed to making sure that the students understand that the discipline and focus that they are going to learn is not just to design, paint or draw. The institute invites business and market experts to teach them how to commercialize their products.

Many of the women students that are learning at Segen Art Galley have not had the opportunity to explore beyond their neighborhoods. Because of their hearing difficulty they do not attend the formal education with their peers. Their level of education does not exceed junior school. To bring them into a community of learners and skilled artists who are passionate and have respect and a sense of dignity is an eye opening experience. Segen Art Gallery is a good example in that there are more possibilities than we thought would be imaginable, and that education and training are the best instruments of empowerment and achievement in life.

I was fascinated by the quality and range of drawings made by the women. The sensitivity, richness of perception, and ways of incorporating colour into artistic work is fantastic. The skills acquired hitherto will have a positive effect on their work as future designers, drawers, and creative artisans. Segen Art Gallery provides important skills that effectively supplements their impaired hearing. The young women with hearing problems have acquired skills to interpret what they observe, communicate what they think and make what they imagine through art. The quality of art, craft and design education of Segen Art Gallery can be seen in the performance of its students. Demoz Russom, opined that “It’s an incredible feeling to know that you helped someone be the best that they could be.”

Segen Art Gallery is also offering art education to high school students with nominal fees. The institute encourages the young boys and girls to demonstrate positive behaviors, including improved academic performance and participating in extracurricular activities. Young students can do much better if they receive the art education. Receiving additional education encourages them to increase participation in extracurricular activities, develop positive habits and spend more time in schooling. Therefore, art education is helpful in producing engaged and empowered youth.

Besides that, in collaboration with the association of Eritrean designers, Segen Art Gallery is offering design training to selected women that have financial problems to update their skills. Here, the objective is to introduce the young women with the nine ethnic groups of Eritrea’s traditional attire so that they can incorporate them into modern design. The Eritrean society have long history of incorporating aesthetic choices into their everyday lives.

The art education offered by Segen Art Gallery to the young women is inculcating important values such as dignity, equality, and solidarity. Besides, teaching the technicality of different arts, gives the targeted groups the opportunity to learn to live with disability. Every abled citizen must extend support to encourage institutions such as Segen Art Gallery to expand their education so as to absorb many young people with disability and turn them into productive citizens.

Source: Ministry of Information Eritrea