Some 165 traditional Senior High Schools (SHS) and Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) schools have been equipped with physics, chemistry, and biology laboratory equipment.
The project for the 165 SHS was funded by Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund).
165 SHS equipped with labs
All students in the model STEM SHS will offer Engineering Science and Robotics as core classes, thereby increasing Ghana’s ability to produce STEM professionals soon.
10 STEM centres on existing SHS campuses
Government is also building 10 STEM centres on existing SHS campuses to serve as resource centres for multiple institutions of which one centre is already in operation.
Minister for Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum announced this at STEM Promotion Road show, organised by the Ministries of Education and Information.
Under the theme “Imagine, Explore, Create: Unleashing the Power of STEM,” the STEM Road Show aimed to promote science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education among Ghanaian students.
Driven by the Ministry of Information in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, the event provided an immersive and interactive learning experience for participants.
The road show was also meant to showcase the progress so far made in getting more students interested in and pursuing STEM education in the country, regardless of their chosen course of study.
Training teachers on STEM pedagogies
According to him, the ministry is working diligently with Ghana Education Service (GES) and National Teaching Council (NTC) to train teachers on STEM pedagogies.
He said pre-engineering pilot programmes are in place to ensure that non-science students can become engineers in place in two universities.
He disclosed that a full audit of the science laboratories throughout the country is being conducted and appropriate renovations being provided to ensure schools have the tools to teach STEM.
He said government has restructured Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) education and created a separate TVET Service to administer technical education.
Dr. Adutwum said the Centre for National Distance Learning and Open Schooling (CENDLOS) is being utilised to ensure students receive virtual labs and high-quality science education no matter where they are in the country.
3 new all-girls STEM Schools
He revealed that the Ministry will establish three new all-girls Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths Schools (STEM) in the country.
Already, one of these schools, which is located at Bosomtwe in the Ashanti Region, is complete and will soon commence intake of students who will specialise in STEM education.
The other schools, one in Kumasi and the other at Adenta, are already under construction, and will be open to the public once they are completed.
This decision to establish all-female STEM schools is in line with the Minister’s vision of improving STEM education, as well as the overall goal of improving access to quality education for all.
Dr. Adutwum expressed his firm belief that STEM education will position Ghana at the forefront of countries that leverage new technologies to address societal challenges, improve living standards and create opportunities for economic growth and prosperity.
He emphasized the importance of equipping Ghanaian students with the essential skills for the fourth industrial revolution.
“The world went through the first industrial revolution, and then we went through the second industrial revolution and then to the third industrial revolution which is the era of computer science and now we are at the fourth industrial revolution where there is a merger of biological and the electrical where things are changing.
“It is estimated that in some ten years about 30% of the job that we gave today to robots. Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing a lot of things.
“The question still remains, how do we prepare our youth to meet this everchanging landscape?,” he said.
Dr. Adutwum spoke passionately about the potential of STEM education to empower Ghana’s youth and drive socio-economic progress.
He stressed the significance of adapting the STEM education system to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world emphasizing the need for a paradigm shift, stating, “We must nurture the innate curiosity and critical thinking abilities of our students. STEM education encourages creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration, which are essential skills for the future.”
The Education Minister said, in an interview with the media, urged parents whose kids are preparing towards the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) to consider a STEM education for their wards at the senior high school level.
He also indicated that about 10 schools, with total capacity of about 30,000, have new constructed brand new STEM centres and have already started offering STEM courses all over the country.
Also present at the event were the Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, the Head Teacher of the Accra High Senior High School, Evelyn Sagbli Nabia, and other important dignitaries.
On his part, Mr. Oppong Nkrumah emphasized the government’s commitment to bridging the gap in STEM education and empowering Ghanaian students.
He said the government of President Akufo-Addo is bent on investing in STEM education as a means of investing in our nation’s future.
Headmistress of the Accra High School, Ms. Evelyn Sagbli Nabia highlighted the impact of the STEM education on her students, stating it has opened doors for them to explore new possibilities.
She encouraged the students to take advantage the investment being done and inspired them to consider careers in STEM fields that they may not have previously considered.
165 SHS lab project
Through the maiden Road Show, students had the opportunity to explore cutting-edge technologies, conduct scientific experiments, and engage in hands-on activities that showcased the practical applications of STEM disciplines.
The maiden STEM Road Show served as a testament to Ghana’s commitment to empowering students and preparing them for a future marked by technological advancements.
The event not only sparked a passion for science and technology but also underscored the potential of STEM education to shape the nation’s socio-economic landscape.
