Learning Institutions Urged to Incorporate Problem Solvers

Nairobi,

Monday November 27, 2023

KNA by Bernadette Khaduli

There is need for learning institutions to incorporate problem solvers in schools for the purpose of training young learners on how to use their brains to solve their life problems.

The Advisor to the Director on Africa Initiatives for-CEMC-University of Waterloo in Canada, Wesley Korir observed that Kenya is endowed with resources, but has a shortage of problem solvers who can use the available resources to solve problems.

“We must start training problem solvers in our schools at a young age so that their brains can look at things in a different way,” he said.

Korir, a former Member of Parliament for Cherangany Constituency and a Boston Marathon Champion was speaking during the opening of the 4th STEM Boot Camp Coding and Robotics held at the Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in Africa (CEMASTEA) in Karen, Nairobi.

The one-week classes that comprises of learners from grade three to form four themed, 'Igniting the Future: Inspire, Imagine, and Innovate' is aimed at equipping learners with creative coding, mobile app development, graphic designs, robotics skills and practical exposure to math and science disciplines.

The Centre organizes Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Bootcamps each year at the centre organizes during holidays where they have various cohorts that ran for one week each.

Korir said he was working with CEMASTEA using the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics to get problem solvers who will be the country’s future leaders.

 He said the current exam system only makes students concentrate on memorizing formulas for the purpose of passing, and urged those at the camp to train themselves to be problem solvers by using the skills they will acquire in robotics, coding and programming.

“You can be successful by looking at everything in a different perspective and solving the problem in a different perspective. The best way to become a billionaire is to solve someone’s problem,” he advised. 

Korir added, “We need you, your generation needs you, this country needs you. I hope one day all of you will help this country solve different problems.”  

The former MP mentioned that education and school is not about passing exams or getting a job, but about training and equipping learners with skills they can use to solve their life problems.

He gave an example of Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook as a person who became a billionaire in the world for thinking and using his brains.

“During the Covid pandemic when everybody was at home whining and complaining, somebody sat down and started Zoom and right now everybody is using his Zoom and he is now a billionaire,” said Korir.

In his remarks, the Deputy Coordinator of the Stem Programme at CEMASTEA, Mr. Martin Mungai said the introduction of coding in schools by the Ministry of Education in grade four, has made the Centre to expose the young learners from grade three and above to practical exposure to math and science discipline.

 He said the exposure will enable them know how to solve problems besides getting knowledge concept, adding that coding is central to the competency based curriculum.

“We believe through the STEM Bootcamps we are nurturing young minds talent and planting a seed, this will curb the shortage of manpower in our country,” he added.

Mungai announced that CEMASTEA has a team in place that will represent the county in the forthcoming International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) at Bath University in United Kingdom and the Pan African Mathematics Olympiad (PAMO) competitions in the year 2024.

The skills being developed by learners attending the CEMASTEA, STEM Bootcamps which include communication, collaboration and adoptability are aimed at making them valuable on the job market in future and the country and world a better place.

CEMASTEA is a public institution under the Ministry of Education established in the year 2004, whose mandate is to Strengthen Mathematics and Science Education in both primary and secondary schools

Courtesy; KNA