Written by Dan Orero and Mary Sichangi.

The ‘Slow Education’ concept enhances students’ ability to learn how to learn and develop values and ethics to live a joyous life in the slow lane.

A section of the Padlet with some of the posts from the participants

The International webinar on Principles of ‘Slow Education’ in the context of STEM Education. was organized by the Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in Africa (CEMASTEA) as a form of knowledge management and sharing based on a training conducted by A. Ofri International Centre, Israel.  The Webinar took place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12^th to 26^th October, 2021.

The training offered participants an opportunity to hear from each other and gain greater understanding while putting into practice the knowledge acquired.
Speaking during the opening ceremony held on 13^th October 2021, the chief guest, Director General, Ministry of Education represented by Ms. Margaret Muandale, the Director Teacher Education, Ministry of Education, Kenya applauded CEMASTEA for conducting such a training that will help cascade the principles of slow education to the various countries. She indicated that the training was in line with the Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4); that aims at ‘ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education that promotes lifelong learning opportunities for all’.

Ms. Margaret Muandale,

Director Teacher Education, Ministry of Education during the opening ceremony

Director CEMASTEA, Mrs. Jacinta Akatsa in her welcome remarks, affirmed the participants that the webinar was tailored to equip ministry of education officials in charge of STEM education with necessary skills to integrate principles of slow education in STEM policies. She further remarked that, for school principals the webinar was to encourage institutionalization of school level policy to support pedagogical leadership of STEM education. Participants were emboldened to be agents of change of quality of STEM education in their country.

Mrs. Jacinta L. Akatsa, HSC,

Director CEMASTEA

Speakers & Facilitators from CEMASTEA:

Mrs. Lydia Muriithi (top left), Deputy Director Corporate; Mrs. Mary Sichangi (top right), Coordinator Partnerships and Linkages; Mr. John Odhiambo (bottom left), National Trainer and Mr. Philip Maate, National Trainer, during the opening ceremony of the international webinar

 The webinar facilitated by CEMASTEA staff involved synchronous learning through the Zoom platform and asynchronous learning through the Google classroom & the Padlet media platform.

Participants during the opening ceremony

In order to compliment STEM education and enhance the capability of learners in 21^st century skills and knowledge, the webinar was crafted to cover five sessions namely; Slow movement and slow down narrative, World of concepts and deepen in principles; From thoughts to deeds, From idea to action (Presentations) and Educational and pedagogical innovation in STEM education. The participants were actively involved and made presentations that demonstrated understanding of concepts as illustrated in the padlet links.

The closing ceremony of the webinar took place on 26^th October 2021, graced by the chief guest, Dr. Reuben Nthamburi, Director Quality and Standards at Teachers Service Commission (TSC), who represented the C.E.O, TSC, informed the participants that the commission is always geared towards well maintained teaching standards. He urged them to develop a positive mindset and implement the training in their respective countries with the aim of transforming to learning improvement hence achieving quality learning.

Dr. Reuben Nthamburi,

Director Quality and Standards, Teachers Service Commission (TSC) during the closing ceremony

In her remarks, Director of the Aharon Ofri International Training Center, Ms. Yudith Rosenthal reiterated that ‘Slow education’ is not defined by doing things slowly, but deeply hence achieving the quality desired. She encouraged them to implement lessons learnt during the International Webinar in their respective countries.

Ms. Yudith Rosenthal, Director

The Aharon Ofri International Training Center, Israel

Director CEMASTEA, Mrs. Akatsa congratulated the participants for successfully completing the course and thanked the TSC for continuous support in implementing Teacher Professional Development courses. She affirmed that the webinar will inculcate entrepreneurial skills among learners that are vital for sustainable development. She encouraged them not only to make good use of the ideas in the Padlet as rich reservoir of ideas for engagement, but also cascade lessons learnt. She promised that CEMASTEA will continue cascading the training to teachers in STEM schools in Kenya through similar webinars.

Mrs. Jacinta L. Akatsa, HSC, Director CEMASTEA, presenting a sample certificate to

Mr. Maikudi Abdul having successfully completed the webinar