As the world marks International Day of Women and Girls in Science, on 11 February, our partner, Tarnos School, nears the completion of a new science lab.
In 2017, the Kenyan Government introduced the new Competency Based Curriculum(CBC), which is competence and skill based in response to emerging social, technological and economic demands of the workplace.
While Tarnos, our partner school in Kericho county, Kenya, already had an ICT classroom which offered ICT-enabled teaching and computer literacy, the school required the addition of a science laboratory in order to adhere to the new requirements of STEM education within Kenyan education. Tarnos is also in the process of expanding from Primary to Junior Secondary level, increasing the
enrolment potential of Tarnos School from 300 to 405 pupils. Expanded facilities and specialised classrooms will allow this potential to be realised.
In 2022, Ecologia Youth Trust received a grant from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMECHE) to fully fund the construction a new science lab at Tarnos, which is in the final stages of completion.
The addition of a Science Lab at Tarnos school will:
- result in 30 current students in Grade 6, who will be able to access quality
Junior Secondary level education - give more girls access to STEM education, allowing them greater opportunity to pursue careers in Science, Technology and Engineering
- afford increased access to STEM education for disadvantaged rural children that emphasises gender parity
The United Nations calls gender equality, ‘the unfinished business of our time’ According to the United Nations, ‘A significant gender gap has persisted throughout the years at all levels of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines all over the world. Even though women have made tremendous progress towards increasing their participation in higher education, they are still under- represented in these fields.’
We are very pleased that our new science laboratory at Tarnos School –which is near completion – will provide 13 girls access to a science education form an early age, helping to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG5) which
aims to, ‘Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.’
About Ecologia Youth Trust
Ecologia Youth Trust is a Scotland-based charity, established in 1995. To date, we have helped transform the lives of over 56,000 children, young people and families affected by poverty, inequality, disease and climate change. We work with partners in Uganda
and Kenya.
Our vision: A world where every young person thrives.
Our mission: We support children and young people to shape their futures and growstronger sustainable communities. With a holistic approach, we work alongside partners to give community and family support, quality education and the means to regenerate their environment for immediate and long-term security.