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Effective Teacher Support Models for STEM Curriculum Implementation in Kenyan Junior schools

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By

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Philip Maate

Karanja Mutitu, PhD.

CEMASTEA, KENYA

ISO 9001:2015 Certified

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Rationale

The transition to Competency-Based Education (CBE) in Kenya has revealed significant support needs:

  • The curriculum has new learning areas beyond teacher’s subjects of specialization
  • Junior School (JS) teachers often have inadequate experience on CBE pedagogical approach
  • Limited access to learning resources and infrastructure

These issues may hinder effective STEM curriculum implementation and learner outcomes

ISO 9001:2015 Certified

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Objectives of the Intervention

  1. To support teachers in effectively implementing a learner-centred STEM curriculum
  2. To promote both inquiry-based and project-based teaching strategies depending on the learning area and the desired competencies
  3. To build sustainable teacher professional learning communities

ISO 9001:2015 Certified

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Description of the Practice

  • CEMASTEA introduced an in-service training model with national/county ‘All-together-INSET' workshops
  • Trained/Champion teachers develop School-Based Action Plans (SBAPs).
  • Peer-led implementation via lesson planning, reflective practices, and mentorship through CoP at school-level.
  • Use of digital resources and project-based learning strategies.
  • Monitoring, mentorship and coaching visits by CEMASTEA and education field officers

ISO 9001:2015 Certified

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Implementation Process

‘ALL together’ INSET

(Plenary & Subject-based)

Champion Action Plan

(Develop with key milestones)

Collaborative development of School-Based Action Plans (Lesson planning & resource sourcing)

Peer-led implementation via lesson observation and reflective practices

MELS visits by CEMASTEA and Field officers for feedback (Lesson Observation & Support)

ISO 9001:2015 Certified

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ISO 9001:2015 Certified

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ACTIVITY

SPECIFIC ACTION

TIME FRAME

INDICATOR/EVIDENCE

RESPONSIBILITY

INDUCTIN OF DEPUTY I

SENSITIZE DEPUTY

8/04/2025

MINUTES

SHORT NOTES

PHOTOS

HOI

STAFF MEETING

SENSITIZE TEACHERS ON UNPACKING CURRICULUM DESIGN

11/04/2025

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STAFF MINUTES

SHORT NOTES

PHOTOS

DEPUTY HEAD TEACHER

SOURCING OF RATIONALIZED CURRICULUM DESIGN

DOWNLOADING/PRINTING OF RATIONALIZED CURRICULUM DESIGNS

11/04/2025

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HARD/SOTF OF RATIONALIZED CIRRICULUM DESIGN

ICT TEACHER

ACTION PLAN

PREPARATION OF ACTION PLAN ON INTERPRETATION OF CURRICULUM DESIGN

14/04/2025

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WORK PLAN

MINUTES

PHOTOS

HOI

AND TEACHERS

ESTABLISHING OF COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE

SENSITIZE TEACHERS FORM LESSON STUDY GROUPS CREATE LESSON STUDY HOURS IN SCHOOL TIMETABLE

16/04/2025

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MINUTES,PHOTOSSHORT NOTES,

HOI AND TEACHERS

EHANCING TIMEC PROGRAMME

SENSITIZE TEACHERS

18/10/2024

MINUTES

HOI AND TEACHERS

LESSON OBSERVATION ON CURRICULUM INTERPRETATION

SENSITIZE TEACHERS

22/04/2025

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MINUTES

HOI AND DEPUTY HTR

PREPARATION OF 2025 SCHEMES OF WORK

PREPARE SCHEMES FOF 2025

24/04/2025

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SOFT/HARD COPIES OF PREPARED SCHEME OF WORK

HOI, DHOI AND TEACHERS

SCHOOL: XYZ

ZONE: CHALA-----------------------------------------

SUBCOUNTY:----TAVETA------------------------------

COUNTY:----TAITA TAVETA------------------------------------

ISO 9001:2015 Certified

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Learner Involvement & Engagement

  • Use of learner-centred strategies and differentiated instruction.
  • Project-based learning (e.g., farming, robotics, beadwork, coding clubs).
  • 81% of learners preferred STEM pathways due to engaging practices - STEM pathway is offered in all senior schools in Kenya.

ISO 9001:2015 Certified

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Evidence-based Impact

  • 93.4% teacher participation in peer learning
  • Increased ICT integration (94.87% schools have access to digital resources
  • 81% learner interest in STEM.
  • Quotes and observations indicate improved collaboration and engagement

ISO 9001:2015 Certified

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Reflections and Lessons learned

  • Teachers benefit from contextualized support and mentorship.
  • Continuous peer collaboration improves instructional quality
  • Teacher champions enhance sustainability of practices.

ISO 9001:2015 Certified

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Recommendations / Way forward

  • Institutionalize mentorship and professional learning communities as TPD programs
  • Promote place-based project learning
  • Expand ICT infrastructure for enhanced leverage to support teachers in the hard-to-reach areas
  • Incentivize teacher champions and integrate support into policy frameworks

ISO 9001:2015 Certified

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Q/A session

What improvement(s) would you suggest for the CEMASTEA model?

ISO 9001:2015 Certified