Capacity Development for Science and Mathematics Education in Africa

1. Definition

In line with BEGIN (Basic Education for Growth Initiative), which was introduced by the JapaneseGovernment in June 2002, this initiative will strengthen and expand the network already formulatedby JICA and African partner countries and contribute to expansion and enhancement of science and mathematics education in Africa.

2. Background

JICA has already implemented Science and Mathematics Education Projects in Kenya, Ghana, South Africa in the African Region. Also, JICA dispatches experts and volunteers in the same field to numbers of countries. An International workshop was held in Kenya on February 2001 by inviting counterparts from each partner country, where a network was formulated by the participants' initiative. Thesecond workshop was held in June 2002 which actually expanded the network. Now an administration office of the network is located in SMASSE (Strengthening of Mathematics and Science in Secondary Education) at Kenya to sustain the network.

3. Details

(1) Expand a network for sharing information and mutual learning, and provide opportunities to promote South-South cooperation.

(2) To further expand network, initiate a working group of science and mathematics educators within the framework of ADEA.

4. Partners

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan International Cooperation Agency, Ghana, South Africa, Kenya,Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA)