The HERI Africa Research Chair in Mathematics Education held a stakeholder engagement meeting with the Board of Management of DEB Kangaru Primary School on Friday, 14 August 2026, at Abai Lodge, to strengthen collaboration around the ongoing Numeracy Initiative and the school’s role as an innovation partner. The meeting brought together the Research Chair, Dr. Simon Karuku, and his research team, the Head of Institution, parent representatives and other key stakeholders. Discussions focused particularly on the Mathematics Innovation and Demonstration (MIND) Centre, which includes a Mathematics Laboratory established by the Research Chair.
The MIND Centre is envisioned as a practical space for demonstrating, developing and testing innovative approaches to the teaching and learning of mathematics. Through the Centre, DEB Kangaru Primary School will provide an important setting for exploring practical mathematics innovations and interventions, and generating approaches that can potentially be adapted and implemented in other schools.
Speaking during the meeting, Dr. Karuku emphasised the importance of the partnership in advancing mathematics education through research, innovation and collaboration. He noted that the partnership would provide a platform for developing, demonstrating and testing innovative teaching approaches and interventions while creating mutual benefits for both the school and the Numeracy Project.
“The partnership will provide an opportunity for us to work together to develop and test approaches that can improve the teaching and learning of mathematics,” Dr Karuku said, highlighting the importance of linking research and practice within the school environment.
The Head of Institution, Mrs Lucy Laichena, reaffirmed DEB Kangaru Primary School’s commitment to the partnership. She pointed to the visible transformation already taking place at the school as a result of the project activities and expressed the school’s readiness to provide continued support for the Numeracy Project and future engagements with the research team.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for stakeholders to engage in detailed discussions on the mandate of HERI Africa and the objectives of the Numeracy Initiative. Participants examined DEB Kangaru’s role as an innovation school and explored how the MIND Centre can be developed as a model for practical mathematics innovation.
Further discussions focused on the co-design of the Mathematics Laboratory, school participation and partnership models, and approaches to co-creating the MIND Centre model. Stakeholders also considered pathways for documenting, strengthening and taking successful innovations to scale.
The engagement marked an important step in strengthening the collaboration between HERI Africa and DEB Kangaru Primary School. By bringing together researchers, school leadership, parents and other stakeholders, the partnership seeks to create a collaborative environment in which innovative mathematics practices can be developed, tested and refined for the benefit of learners and teachers.
As the Numeracy Initiative progresses, DEB Kangaru Primary School is expected to play a critical role in demonstrating how research-informed and practical approaches can contribute to improving mathematics teaching and learning.
