PS University Education and Research Amb. Simon Nabukwesi closes teachers training workshop at the University of Nairobi.

A three-day workshop on training of trainers for teacher education and management in Kenya (TOTEMK) was officially closed by the Principal Secretary State Department for University education and Research Amb. Simon Nabukwesi at the University of Nairobi (UoN).

The virtual training which began on Monday 8^th November, 2021 was attended by over 60 participants drawn from more than 60 universities of which 25 participants were physically present. The objective of the training which is a collaboration between the University of Nairobi, Strathmore and Pwani Universities aims to support the implementation of competency based curriculum and to equip learners with modem technology in teaching and learning using digital tools.

Speaking during the closing of the workshop, Principal Secretary State Department of University Education and Research Amb. Simon Nabukwesi advised the participants to transfer the knowledge they have gained through training other teachers so that the impact of the training can spread and gain positive effect. He commended the trainers from University of Helsinki noting that education in Finland is ranked among the leading in performance worldwide.

PS SDUE&R Amb. Simon Nabukwesi addresses TOTEMK participants at the closing of the training at the university of Nairobi on Wednesday 10^th November 2021.

Amb. Nabukwesi said the TOTMEK training comes at an ideal time when institutions of higher learning have embraced online learning and she was optimistic that the training will as a result boost digital learning practices especially after the corona virus pandemic which disrupted learning n several learning institutions. The PS added that 340,000 teachers countrywide need to be taken through the training as the country prepares to phase out the current 8-4-4 education system and replace it with Competency Based Curriculum (CBC)

PS SDUE&R Amb. Simon Nabukwesi addresses TOTEMK participants at the closing of the training at the university of Nairobi on Wednesday 11^th November 2021.

The PS encouraged the participants to spread the knowledge they have gained to other teachers so as to support the implementation of CBC. “Indeed, the TOTEMK Project is quite timely as it seeks to strengthen the teacher education programmes and institutional management in Kenya so as to support the ongoing reforms in the country’s education sector” said the PS.

The TOTEMK four (4) year project is funded by the Government of Finland in collaboration with the University of Helsinki, Laurea University in Finland, University of Nairobi, Strathmore University and Pwani University and other government partners. It supports important education reforms which are being implemented in the country.

The PS thanked the Finish Government and partners for their impeccable record of commitment and a balanced approach when tackling challenges which confront humanity especially in Africa.

Earlier, the University of Nairobi Vice Chancellor Prof. Stephen Kiama in his remarks said the training is timely since many Universities need to adopt to digital learning in higher education especially after the effect of Covid-19.