Kenyan educator Rose Tata Wekesa has secured her place in history by conducting the longest science class on record, lasting an impressive 62 hours, 33 minutes, and 34 seconds. Wekesa, who teaches at St. Austin’s Academy Lavington, achieved this milestone at the Multimedia University of Kenya, much to the delight of her students.
Breaking the record demanded Wekesa to overcome challenges such as sleep deprivation and fatigue. In a conversation with Citizen Digital, she admitted that the feat was no easy task. To prepare for the marathon session, she and her support team worked on a comprehensive lesson plan, and she personally endured staying awake for 44 consecutive hours in the days leading up to the event.
Despite the physical and mental challenges, Wekesa’s motivation stems from her commitment to imparting knowledge to the younger generation. She encourages aspiring teachers to blend their passion for a subject with patience for their students.
Noteworthy achievements in the realm of science education include the 2014 record for the largest science lesson, involving 1,339 students tutored by Steve McDonald at St. Louis University High School in Missouri. Additionally, in 2020, British teacher Neil Monteiro set a virtual science lesson record, attracting 16,066 participants and establishing a new Guinness World Record for the highest attendance in a science lesson.
While Wekesa’s accomplishment awaits official recognition from Guinness World Records, the organization meticulously evaluates record titles against its values of integrity, respect, inclusiveness, and passion, ensuring adherence to strict policies governing record qualifications.
