The Department of Education in Marsabit County has befitted with lab equipment worth Sh 12.5 million from Concern Worldwide in its efforts towards realization of the competence-based curriculum (CBC).
The equipment that would see the establishment of science laboratories in 25 junior schools across Marsabit County is tailored at aiding learners to major in subjects that would enable them to pursue the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) career pathway.
Marsabit County Director of Education (CDE) Peter Magiri, when he presided over the handing over of the mobile labs and integrated science kits to SKM Primary and Junior Secondary School, noted that 150 schools across the county remain without laboratories.
Mr. Magiri pointed out that Marsabit, which is a largely rural-based settlement of pastoralist communities, was a vast county with learning institutions positioned far away from each other; hence, the available senior schools can hardly complement the lab facilities.
Thanking Concern Worldwide for continued support in helping the government in filling the gaps in lab establishments, Magiri appealed to members of Parliament to consider allocating some of the national government constituency development fund (NG_CDF) monies to the setting up of laboratories in local schools.
“To enable our schools to register for the STEM pathway, labs must be available to enable students to interact with the science kits,” he said and urged other stakeholders in the education sector to emulate Concern Worldwide.
Mr. Magiri said relevant and adequate facilities were needed in order to equip the students with the skills necessary for their academic and professional excellence.
The CDE pointed out that the lab equipment was of the recommended standards, having been designed and procured with the technical guidance of the Ministry of Education’s School Equipment Production Unit (SEPU).
Also present were the Concern Worldwide education officer Benson Kimani, SEPU representative Jane Mwai, and the school head teacher Ms. Kame Koto, who expressed optimism that the availability of the lab facility would assist in preparing grade 9 students for their national examination, the determinant in the career pathway placement.
Components of the mobile laboratories include microscopes, Bunsen burners, fire extinguishers, an installed water supply system, a fitted electrical system, and a connected gas system complete with two-way gas taps and 13-kilogram gas cylinders with regulators, among others.
In his remarks, Mr. Kimani said the organization had also offered training to two teachers from each benefitting school on the handling and operating of the equipment.
In addition, he said that the school’s board of management had also been inducted on the new development in a bid to create ownership and ensure sustainability.
He further noted that learners in the arid and semi-arid county of Marsabit were faced with many constraints, hence the justification to help them build resilience with the integrated science kits.
“I am convinced that together we can build a future where every child’s potential is realized by according them an opportunity to choose pathways based on their career aspirations,” said Mr. Kimani, adding that the organization was proud to be a contributor to the education growth in Marsabit County.
By Sebastian Miriti
