By:Kenneth Appiah Bani.
The Ghana Science Association (GSA) has appealed to the government to increase investment in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education at the basic school level. According to the Association, this will help establish a stronger foundation for higher education and development.
Dr. Benjamin Aboagye, President of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) Branch of the GSA, noted that while successive governments have made efforts to promote STEM education, the approach has been lopsided, neglecting basic schools. He emphasized that basic schools lack basic resources, making STEM education more theoretical than practical.
To address this challenge, the UCC branch of the GSA organized a capacity-building workshop for 51 STEM teachers from 51 basic schools in the Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam District. The workshop aimed to equip teachers with pedagogical strategies to make STEM subjects more interesting and practical.
Dr. Aboagye called on the government to establish STEM resource centers for basic schools across the country. These centers would provide students with hands-on experience, sparking their interest in STEM subjects.
“The government should focus on the basic level, providing practical knowledge and understanding of science subjects. This will prepare students for secondary level and beyond,” Dr. Aboagye explained.
Mr. Mawuena Kofi Abotsi, STEM Coordinator for the Ajumako District, acknowledged that while the district has made progress in STEM education, it faces challenges such as inadequate resources and unqualified teachers.
Dr. Kofi Acheaw Owusu, a Senior Lecturer at UCC, facilitated a pedagogy session, urging teachers to make science interesting and fun. He emphasized the importance of contextualized approaches, field trips, and creating an enabling environment for students to participate and share ideas freely.
Participants praised the workshop as an “eye-opener” and pledged to implement the strategies learned to improve STEM education in their schools.
The GSA’s appeal for increased investment in STEM education at the basic school level highlights the need for a stronger foundation in science and mathematics to drive Ghana’s development and competitiveness in the global economy.
