Deputy Speaker Gladys Boss Shollei has presented a petition to Parliament seeking urgent reforms to strengthen Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and computer science education in Kenya’s schools.
The petition, submitted by the Computer Science Teachers Association of Kenya (CSTAK), calls for comprehensive policy and legislative measures to reverse the declining interest and participation in STEM subjects among learners.
While tabling the petition, Shollei underscored the urgency of the matter, saying Kenya’s future competitiveness depends on equipping young people with digital and technical skills.
“Without timely intervention, the nation risks falling behind in global competitiveness, innovation, and its ability to thrive in the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” she said.
The government has recently intensified efforts to promote STEM by prioritising the recruitment of STEM teachers among the 24,000 interns for junior secondary schools. However, CSTAK warns that current interventions such as introducing basic coding into the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) are insufficient. The association argues that over-reliance on single introductory coding tools limits students’ readiness for advanced areas like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data science.
CSTAK also raised concern over unequal funding, noting that co-curricular activities such as music and sports often receive more support than STEM programs. The group urged Parliament to establish a National Policy and Funding Framework for STEM and Robotics to address this disparity.
While several lawmakers supported the proposal, others, including Marakwet East MP Kangogo Bowen, urged caution, citing inadequate infrastructure in rural schools.
The petition has been forwarded to the Public Petitions Committee, which will investigate and report its findings to the House.
Recent data from the Zizi Afrique Foundation and Usawa Agenda revealed that only 21% of public junior secondary teachers are trained to deliver STEM subjects, with 35% of schools lacking a single STEM teacher. As Kenya prepares to roll out Grade 10 in January 2026, the petition’s adoption could mark a crucial step toward strengthening the country’s digital and scientific future.
