Empowering Science Education: Haramaya University Trains Secondary School Teachers on Effective Laboratory Practices
In a bid to enhance science education in local secondary schools, Haramaya University hosted two-day training for science teachers on April 1-2, 2025. Organized by the Community Engagement and Industry Linkage Directorate in collaboration with the College of Natural and Computational Science, this initiative aims to ignite student curiosity and foster a lifelong love for science through well-structured lessons and hands-on experiences.
Mr. Kemal Kassim, the Director of the university’s Community Engagement and Industry Linkage Directorate, delivered opening remarks emphasizing the vital role educators play in shaping young minds. He stated, “We believe that the resources and techniques we will explore in this training will empower you to create more dynamic and effective science laboratories in your schools. The proper organization and efficient utilization of laboratory spaces are essential not only for safety but also for fostering curiosity, creativity, and hands-on learning among students. This training will focus on practical strategies that can be implemented with the available resources, providing valuable insights to help you optimize your teaching environments for the best outcomes.”
Dr.Sileshi Deme, Dean of the College of Natural and Computational Science, highlighted that the training is carefully designed to address essential issues related to laboratory setup and utilization. He specifically noted the importance of safety rules and regulations, good laboratory practices, hands-on experimentation, and the preparation of customized laboratory manuals. Dr.Sileshi emphasized that teachers play a pivotal role in shaping how students perceive and interact with the world, stating that their ability to deliver well-structured lessons and provide hands-on experiences can ignite learners’ curiosity and foster a lifelong love for science.
In addition, Dr. Henok Desalegn, coordinator for the university’s STEM centre, discussed findings from a survey on six secondary schools near the university. He pointed out that many teachers are not utilizing laboratory classes effectively to support their theoretical lessons. He stressed that practical laboratory experiences are essential for making learning clear and unforgettable. Moving forward, the STEM centre will coordinate with stakeholders and mobilize available resources to deliver necessary support to these schools.
At the conclusion of the training, participants expressed their appreciation, noting that the training on ‘basic laboratory setup and utilization’ was both interesting and helpful. They felt empowered to incorporate theory with practice using available laboratory resources, which would increase students’ interest in science and enhance their motivation to learn. Mr.GadisaAbdurehman, a physics teacher from Bate Secondary School; Mr.FikreAklilu, a chemistry teacher from Haramaya Secondary School; and Mrs.EtifworkAlemayehu, a biology teacher from Bate Secondary School, collectively thanked the university, the organizers, and the trainers for their engaging and practical deliberation. They also hope to keep in touch and receive more training opportunities and laboratory material support from the university in the future.
Reported by Aweke Ayalneh
Camera by Fuad Ahmed
Hramaya University Public and International Relations Directorate