COMSTEDA 17 forum lauded as an excellent platform for sharing practical research outcomes and best practices in STEM education in Africa!
The opening ceremony for the 17th Conference on Mathematics, Science and technology Education in Africa (COMSTEDA 17) was graced by, Dr. Belio R. Kipsang, Principal Secretary, Early Learning, and Basic Education on 17th December, 2021. In his remarks, he reiterated the importance of STEM education in enhancing national development. In reference to the global aspirations under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), African Agenda 2063, CESA (2016-25) objectives on STEM and other country-specific ambitions; the Chief Guest noted that there is need for change in the education systems across the continent. He reiterated the important role of STEM education especially in developing learner’s capability and skills. The world needs children who learn things quickly with less supervision and who after graduation provide useful entrepreneurial skills to design career and employability pathways. The chief guest lauded the conference as an excellent platform for sharing practical and research outcomes or best practices in STEM education.
He reiterated that most countries are aligning their education systems to Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) and challenged delegates to equip young people in STEM based skills to prepare innovators and creators of employment opportunities. In Kenya for instance, STEM education is one of the pathways in CBC designed to develop relevant competencies. He highlighted the important role played by the teacher as the link between policy and curriculum implementation. He further indicated, African countries believe that human resource capital is essential in developing the continent. The continental education strategy for Africa (CESA, 2016-25) restate that strengthening mathematics and science education is a basis for growth and sustainable development, (AUC, 2015). The quality of mathematics and science education is dependent on the quality of the teacher. He expressed optimism that the conference was not an end, but will create new networks for sharing of best practices and emerging evidence in STEM education research.