Education ministry targets 60% uptake of STEM in senior school

The Ministry of Education targets to have up to 60 per cent of learners in Senior School do science, technology, engineering and mathematics (Stem) programmes as they climb the education ladder.

Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu made the revelation in a speech read on his behalf by East African Science and Technology Commission (EASTECO) chairman Walter Oyawa.

It was during the opening of 3rd EAC Regional Science, Technology and Innovation conference which started on Wednesday and will run till Friday.

"The curriculum that is coming up in Kenya anticipates that 60 per cent of the students in Senior School will transition to Stem pathway as they progress," he said. 

Oyawa said the government projects that 25 per cent of learners in Senior School will do humanities while 15 per cent are anticipated to go into creative studies. 

He said the government has empowered TVET institutions to train undergraduates on solutions that will drive innovation and industrialisation. 

Oyawa said the number of technical colleges in the country has increased from 11 in 2012 to the current 24. 

He noted that the government is currently implementing a science and technology innovation mainstream. 

"Kenya will continue to make investments in science and technology to align ourselves to global trends and fast-changing socio economic landscape," he said. 

Oyawa said the Ministry of Education is putting in efforts to create an enabling environment for innovations in science and technology in Kenya. 

He noted the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms recommendations also laid emphasis on science and mathematics. 

Oyawa revealed that the number of girls taking up Stem courses is still low and urged more girls to embrace science and technology courses. 

"UNESCO reports that only 30 per cent of girls in higher education in Kenya take courses in Stem," he said. 

He noted that 2021 data indicated that universities had 59.4 per cent male students and 40.6 per cent female students. 

TVET on the other hand had 78 per cent male students and 22 per cent female students, he said.