World Science Day for Peace and Development, observed every November 10, celebrates the vital role of science and scientists in creating a more connected and sustainable world. It is a day to highlight the importance of scientific knowledge and its impact on global development.

Proclaimed by UNESCO in 2001, World Science Day was formulated to call attention to the goals found in its 1999 Declaration on Science, including advancing scientific education, ethical scientific research, equitable scientific access, international cooperation, and informing public policy with scientific knowledge.[1]

Asante Africa Foundation is proud to join this celebration, reflecting on the significant strides and ongoing challenges in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education across East Africa. 

STEM Education in East Africa 

The African Union’s “Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa 2024,” published in 2014, underscored STEM education as crucial for economic development.[2] However, substantial challenges remain a decade later. Less than 25% of higher education students in Sub-Saharan Africa are in STEM fields,[3] and gender parity continues, with women being largely underrepresented in the non-health STEM workforce. Rural areas are particularly underserved – with 90% of all schools in sub-Saharan Africa lacking a well-equipped science lab.[4] 

Nevertheless, progress has been made since the AU’s 2014 report. Rwanda leads the continent with 21.6% of secondary schools having adequate science labs,[5] and women in Uganda now represent 40% of all STEM researchers.[6] Additionally, several African countries, including Kenya, have introduced a Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) that incorporates coding and computer programming, creating new opportunities for students. Let’s learn a bit more! 

Asante Africa and STEM-ing up! 

This year, Asante Africa Foundation, in partnership with nonprofit CS4ALL, hosted a coding bootcamp for rural youth in Samburu County, Kenya. Part of our Youth Livelihood Program, the bootcamp offered youth participants hands-on experience in computer science, including an exploration of core concepts, technology’s societal impact, and the intricacies of computer networks.

Participants developed skills in critical and computational thinking, problem-solving, creativity, innovation, and effective communication through digital math games and delivering a project using SCRATCH programming – an open and accessible coding language that introduces students to fundamental programming concepts such as loops, conditionals, and variables without having to write code manually. The bootcamp was itself a great success and aligned with Kenya’s CBC Curriculum and the Kenyan Ministry of Information, Communications and The Digital Economy’s policies and priorities. Click here to read some of our bootcamp participants’ testimonials.   

While the bootcamp is a great example of Asante Africa’s commitment to STEM education, it is also embedded in many other aspects of Asante Africa’s work. A key focus of these efforts is oriented towards empowering girls in the STEM field where they are notoriously underrepresented. Asante Africa addresses these gender disparities that have traditionally barred women participation in the field through mentorship, workshops like the coding bootcamp, and encouragement that support the work environment for women. All resources that are needed so women are able to flourish within STEM. Learn more.

Additionally, Asante Africa Foundation recognizes the transformative power of digital literacy exemplified by the Digital Education and Empowerment Program (DEEP) Initiative. The program is designed within the Youth Livelihood Program to integrate technology into everyday learning. This ensures that these students can receive critical digital skills that could range from basic usage of digital tools to coding and analysis- preparing these students for today’s technology forward workforce. Asante Africa frequently provides classrooms and teachers with the essential resources for STEM learning that includes laptops, projectors, and specialized science equipment. By investing in both technology and training, environments are created where students have the opportunity to excel within STEM. Read more about Deep.

In celebration of World Science Day, Asante Africa Foundation is excited about expanding this initiative. The long-term goal is for CS4ALL to host an annual in-person event, to include more schools and cities, and to provide year-round virtual support to participating teachers.

Get Involved!

Today’s STEM students are tomorrow’s leaders, innovators, and community builders! Join Asante Africa Foundation in advancing STEM education and equitable access across East Africa. Click here to donate or learn how you can support the Asante Africa Foundation’s mission!