*2 Strengthening of Mathematics and Science in Secondary Education (SMASSE)

The Kenyan Government has been working to improve the science and mathematics education in primary and secondary schools, which has been set as a major challenge from the perspective of developing human resources capable of promoting industrialization. For five years since July 1998, Japan had been extending support in training in-service teachers for science and mathematics in pilot regions of Kenya (SMASSE I). Through this project, the teachers familiarized themselves with student-centered teaching and learning methods, as well as a method to update the teaching curriculum in line with the achievement of students. The experience and achievements of SMASSE have attracted the attention of neighboring African countries outside Kenya, leading to the establishment of an intraregional network, Strengthening of Mathematics and Science in Secondary Education in Western, Eastern, Central and Southern Africa (SMASSE-WECSA), in 2002.
Based on these achievements, SMASSE II has been implemented since July 2003 as a five-year project, with two major objectives: nationwide implementation of in-service training for science and mathematics teachers within Kenya and strengthening of SMASSE-WECSA network which is now participated in by more than 30 countries.