Senior secondary school teachers in Kitui County have been urged to embrace innovative approaches to teaching Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects in line with the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
The call was made during the closing ceremony of a four-day training workshop for STEM Heads of Department, organized by the Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in Africa (CEMASTEA) and held at Muthale Girls Secondary School in Kitui County.
Kitui County Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Director Margaret Kamau said the shift to CBC requires teachers to adopt learner-centered methods that emphasize skills, creativity, and practical application of knowledge.
She noted that unlike the previous 8-4-4 system, which largely focused on examinations and memorization, CBC is designed to nurture talents, competencies, and innovation among learners.
According to Kamau, the new curriculum also aims to produce job creators and entrepreneurs rather than job seekers, thereby contributing to national development and economic growth.
In a speech read on her behalf by Migwani Sub- County TSC and Human Resource Officer Racheal Muthoni, the county director emphasized the critical role teachers play in ensuring successful implementation of the curriculum.
“This demands a shift—from telling to guiding, from memorization to clear understanding, and from passive learning to active discovery,” she said.
She commended teachers for their dedication to shaping learners’ futures and challenged Heads of Department to take up leadership roles in improving the quality of education in their schools.
“As Heads of Departments, you are more than administrators; you are instructional leaders, mentors, and the engines that drive quality in our schools,” she added.
Kamau reminded the teachers that the future engineers, doctors, scientists, and innovators of the country are currently in their classrooms, underscoring the importance of effective teaching.
She reiterated the Teachers Service Commission’s commitment to supporting educators through continuous professional development and partnerships.
“Together with partners like CEMASTEA, we will continue to invest in your professional growth because when a teacher grows, a learner succeeds, and a nation prospers,” she affirmed.
A total of 263 senior secondary school teachers from across Kitui County participated in the training, which targeted Heads of Department in STEM subjects from both public and private institutions.
The participants were equipped with skills and knowledge to enable them to effectively handle learners under the CBC framework, particularly at the senior school level.
The four-day workshop, which began on Tuesday and concluded on Saturday, was held concurrently at Mulango Secondary School and Muthale Girls Secondary School.
It was organized by the Ministry of Education through CEMASTEA as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the implementation of the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system in the country.
Teachers who attended the training expressed confidence that the knowledge gained would enhance their ability to deliver STEM subjects more effectively.
Participants noted that the CBC framework requires educators to guide learners in choosing and excelling in specialized pathways, including Arts and Sports Science, Social Sciences, and STEM.
by Denson Mututo
