New partnership to boost Kenya's STEM education
The distribution is aimed at increasing interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education and preparing the grassroots demographic for more technology-based career opportunities.
The company’s support is coming on a backdrop of a recent study by the US Department of Education that projects an increase in STEM jobs. The study shows that students pursuing mathematics increase their chances of obtaining a job by 16%, computer system analysis by 22%, system software development by 32%, medical scientists by 36% and biomedical engineering by 62%.
This support is good news for the country’s digital learning programme that is set to instil computer studies into pupils from class one.
Part of Kenyan Digital Literacy Programme
Mid this year, the Kenyan government embarked on its free laptop project by distributing over 12,000 learning devices to 150 public primary schools as the pilot for Digital Literacy Programme.
The government intends to distribute 1.2 million devices to public primary schools across the country by next year in a programme that has since been re-branded Digi School.
The partnership, signed between Burhani Engineers, represented by the MD Zoher Pirbhai, Kibera sub-county Directorate of Education, represented by Lydia Mutegi and the Kibra MP’s Office represented by Ann Ithara, will see at least 10 schools receive 10 computers in the first round.
Moderated by Funke Michaels-Miano, an MIT and Harvard University Fellow, the initiative will benefit Kibera schools including Kibera Primary, Toi Primary, Mbagathi Primary, Olympic Primary, Redrose school, Kibera Secondary, Mbagathi secondary, Olympic secondary and the sub-county education directorate.
#AfricaRising
“East Africa is industrialising at a very rapid pace; and our population needs to align with emerging opportunities. We need our workforce to have the necessary skills to be competitive in these highly technical areas. We see a situation whereby we can reach to the young talents, nature their talent and improve their knowledge in ICT,” Pirbhai said.
He added that the Engineering Power Classes will be taught once a week in the schools by Burhani team members. Being a second-generation engineer himself, Zoher explored the role of corporate citizens in imparting hands-on knowledge within the community.
As champions for the next generation of engineers, and as talented colleagues in related fields, the forward-looking team at Burhani Engineers are perfect examples of #AfricaRising with many champions coming up among us.
Mutegi a veteran teacher herself, thanked the firm for the initiative and assured them that the computers will be put into good use. “This initiative has come up at the right time. The area MP is currently constructing additional secondary schools here, and I know that the computers and power classes will be of great assistance. I urge other organisations to follow this example and help us improve the level of education in this country.”
