Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in Africa (CEMASTEA) is a public education institution established in the year 2003 to provide and coordinate In-Service Education and Training (INSET) for practicing teachers of Mathematics and Science in Kenya. The centre has grown in physical facilities as well as quality of training programmes to provide all round Teacher, Capacity, Development of Teachers (TCDT) in Kenya and other African countries. Towards realization of its mandate, the centre over time grew and established programmes in four main areas namely:

1. Training Programmes
2. Secondary Programmes
3. Primary Programmes
4. Customized Courses for Mathematics and Science teachers and educators from African countries
5. Workshops for education officers namely; DEOs, DQASOs, TAC-Tutors, School Principals and Deputies, Heads of Departments (HoDs)
6. Research and Development programmes to inform course content
7. ICT integration in education programmes to enhance lesson delivery
8. External Linkages and Partnerships

CEMASTEA is governed by a Board of Management (BoM). The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is the Director and secretary to the Board. The centre collaborates and partners with other stakeholders namely; Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST) its parent ministry, Teacher Service Commission (TSC), Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD), Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE), Kenya Education Management Institute (KEMI), Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC), Primary Teacher Training College (PTTC), SMASE-Africa member countries, development partners, Association for Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) – Conference of Ministers of Education in Africa (COMEDAF), African Union (AU), teachers unions, teachers, parents and students.

The centre boasts of a complex facility that entails; a multipurpose hall, well equipped lecture rooms with modern technology, ICT Laboratories, Dinning and catering facilities, offices and highly motivated and experienced teaching and non-teaching staff.

Historical Background

CEMASTEA is the successor of the INSET Unit which was located at the former Kenya Science Teachers College (KSTC) that implemented the Strengthening of Mathematics and Science in Secondary Education (SMASSE, 1998-2003) project through In-Service Education and Training (INSET) for teachers. SMASSE project whose overall goal was, “to upgrade the capability of young Kenyans in Mathematics and Science” was conceptualized based on a history of poor performance in mathematics and science in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE). The project was piloted in nine districts in 1999, expanded to 15 districts in the year 2000 and later extended nationally in the year 2004.

CEMASTEA continued to implement SMASSE programmes for secondary school teachers until 2008, when the programmes were extended to primary schools. As a result, SMASSE was changed to strengthening of Mathematics and Science Education (SMASE) to accommodate both primary and secondary school activities. The secondary and primary teacher capacity development programmes are funded by MOEST and implemented by CEMASTEA.  The centre is also the secretariat of the Strengthening of Mathematics and Science Education in Africa (SMASE-Africa) Association which is a continental organization with membership from 26 African countries. SMASE-Africa was born in 2001 based on recognition that challenges in the teaching and learning of mathematics and science cuts across curricula in the African continent.