Gov’t announces GHc88m project to boost STEM education

Cabinet has given approval for two initiatives aimed at boosting Science, Maths and Engineering across basic and senior high education levels to commence.

The initiatives include the provision of equipment and training of personnel for regional science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics Centres for SHS System as well as Basic Science, Maths, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics programme.

The Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah at a press briefing in Accra on Tuesday said the project which is budgeted at GHc88 million is a school-based interactive science and technology learning centre, which will provide practical approaches towards learning in Senior High Schools.

“The project is budgeted at GHc88 million, and the overall aim of the project is to enrich the academic content offered by formal training in science, technology, engineering and math. The project is expected to improve the pedagogy teaching of math and science. It is also expected to address the fear of teaching of math, science and to provide technology kits for math and science education at the senior high school level.”

“It will also provide ICT equipment to improve the competency of both teachers and students. The first phase comprises ten centres at 88 million Ghana cedis and the second phase of six additional centres will be subsequently constructed,” he said.

He indicated that building on a successful pilot program conducted in 2008 with 100 JHS teachers, the BSTEM program is aimed at developing the teaching of science and maths to better prepare teachers to impart practical and problem-solving skills to pupils and increasing science and maths participation at the SHS levels.

The program will cover all basic schools in Ghana in three phases over a 5 year period and includes training modules for regional advisors and teachers.

Source: Citinewsroom