Computer Science in STEM Education Critical for 21st Century Skills and Knowledge: The Kenyan Perspective.

Computer Science in STEM Education Critical for 21st Century Skills and Knowledge: The Kenyan Perspective.

By Sagwe Fred Teacher Service Commission-Kenya

Dated: Mar 10, 2015

Technology has put nearly everything at our fingertips and enabled us to engage with the world on a deeper, faster level than ever before. In this article, I examine our increasingly on-demand computing and coding skills as a requisite 21st century skills and knowledge for our kids and students.

Like many other scientific societies, policy makers, reports and other thought leaders I strongly support the stated goal that science and mathematics education should be a national priority in all sectors of the Kenyan education system and beyond. I strongly support efforts to increase the participation in retention of students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fields. I believe that computer science should be an integral part of our education system, which faces special challenges particularly at the secondary level.

 We the Kenya computer studies/science teachers wish is to work with national leaders to ensure that computing field’s voice is heard .It has now  reached a fever pitch across the entire globe. We’re not trying to “Reinvent the wheel “but our noble cause is to advance computing as a science and profession.

In a nutshell, coding is one of the most demanded skills in the 21st century learning. There is a growing need for teaching: Preschoolers, kindergarten kids , elementary school and students the fundamentals of coding and computer programming not only because these are the skills needed for the future job market but also because coding allows learners to better understand their digitally focused life and therefore enhance their interaction with digital media.

The point of schooling is to prepare children to function in the workplace, so why are governments ignoring the key trends that will shape our student’s future?