JSS Teachers Begin Four-Day Nationwide CEMASTEA Training.
Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers across the country have gathered at various training centers for a four-day professional development program. The training, which commenced on February 26, 2025, is scheduled to conclude on March 1, 2025.
This initiative, organized by the Centre for Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education in Africa (CEMASTEA), aims to equip 8,563 JSS teachers with specialized skills.
However, participation is restricted to teachers handling Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) subjects, specifically Mathematics and Integrated Science, for Grades 7, 8, and 9.
The training focuses on the integration of virtual laboratories and open educational digital resources into STEM education. By leveraging technology and readily available online tools, the program seeks to bridge gaps in learning resources and improve classroom instruction in Junior Schools.
Teachers selected for this training were identified at the county level, with official lists released in each region. The program also includes monetary allowances, ranging between Ksh 2,000 and Ksh 6,000 per day, with higher compensation for those in underserved areas.
As per the official circular issued by CEMASTEA under Reference No: CEM/E-LG/VOL.I/008, dated February 14, 2025, the training falls under the Secondary Education Equity and Quality Improvements (SEEQIP) Project.
This initiative prioritizes the establishment of virtual laboratories to enhance resource efficiency in STEM education.
The circular emphasized that training teachers on the use of virtual labs is crucial for the success of this project. To this end, CEMASTEA is conducting the training in SMASE INSET Centres across all 47 counties during the Term I midterm break.
Key Directives for Training Implementation
CEMASTEA has directed the County Training and Coordination Development Committees (CTCDC) to ensure the following:
- Invite Junior Secondary Mathematics and Integrated Science teachers who have previously attended SMASE INSET training, as listed in Annex I and Annex II of the circular.
- Arrange an online induction session on February 24, 2025, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. for JS County Trainers who received training on virtual labs in December 2024.
- Inform private schools about the training, specifying that they must pay Ksh 880 per teacher per day for four days to cover conference costs, including meals and stationery.
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Expected Outcomes of the Training
By the end of the program, participating JSS teachers are expected to:
- Demonstrate improved ability to access and utilize virtual laboratories for STEM instruction.
- Enhance their capacity to integrate virtual laboratories into lesson planning and execution.
- Acknowledge the significance of virtual laboratories in advancing STEM education.
This initiative is projected to facilitate the transition of 60% of Junior Secondary learners into the STEM pathway at the Senior School level.
CEMASTEA expressed appreciation for the continued support from stakeholders in ensuring the successful implementation of the program.
JSS Teachers Begin Four-Day Nationwide CEMASTEA Training
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