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Capacity Building of Science Teachers in Uganda to support STEM Mentorship Programme

Sciences teachers at the STEM Mentorship Programme during one of the sessions ©Uganda National Commission for UNESCO

19 April 2021

Last update:20 April 2023

UNESCO supported Uganda National Commission for UNESCO and the Institute of (IEEE) to conduct 2-days capacity building workshop on STEM mentorship programme. The capacity building was held from 9 to 10 April 2021 at Nob View Hotel Kampala, Uganda, and 40 Science teachers from 8 schools attended the capacity building workshop. The main aim of the workshop was to equipping science teachers with information and skills to implement the action points and recommendations generated during the training, so as to realize an improvement in the participation and performance by women and girls in STEM Education in Uganda.

The Uganda National Commission for UNESCO Board Chairperson, Prof. Eriab Lugujjo, called on the participants to put into action practical solutions to step up girls’ enrollment, retention and completion in science discipline. He thanked UNESCO, through its Regional Office for Eastern African in Nairobi, the UNESCO project Office in Uganda and the IEEE for the coordination and support that has made this mentorship programme possible.

There is a need to address the underlying drivers of low participation of girls in science. This includes poverty, geographical isolation, minority status, disability, early marriage and pregnancy, gender-based violence, and traditional attitudes about the status and role of women.

Mr. Charles Draecabo, National Coordinator, UNESCO Project Office in Uganda

STEM Mentorship programme seeks empower and encourage young girls and boys to uptake STEM related courses unlocking their potential in STEM for a secure & sustainable future.