The Project for the Upgrading and Refurbishment of the Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in Africa
Background
Japan has been promoting in-service teacher training through a series of technical assistance projects such as the "Strengthening of Mathematics And Science in Secondary Education (SMASSE)" to improve the quality of science and mathematics education in Kenya and neighbouring African countries. The Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in Africa (CEMASTEA), which has been the base for technical assistance project, has been unable to respond to the increasing training needs. Thus, the government of Kenya requested Japanese Grant Aid for the construction of a lecture hall, laboratory, library, ICT building, auditorium, administration building, cafeteria and kitchen, and expansion of training equipment at CEMASTEA.
Project description
In this project, since the project had been cancelled in the past during the process of environmental impact assessment, it was necessary to reflect sufficient environmental considerations in the design and construction plans. Stakeholder meetings were held with the neighbouring residents at each stage of planning, design, and construction, and consensus-building was carefully carried out. The project was designed to be in harmony with the environment in following ways, minimizing the cutting down of trees, creating barrier-free access to all planned rooms by using natural slopes in the site, using locally produced natural stones for the exterior, and installing a high-level sewage treatment tank system to recycle sewage as toilet flushing water.