Ghana is witnessing a remarkable transformation in its education landscape as the government places Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) at the forefront of its curriculum. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has reaffirmed his commitment to prioritizing STEM education, recognizing it as the key to preparing the country’s workforce with the skills needed for the rapidly evolving fourth industrial revolution.
At the 85th-anniversary celebration of the Presbyterian Boys’ Senior High School, President Akufo-Addo disclosed that the percentage of General Science students in Senior High Schools, traditionally around 12%, has surged to 15% this year. Even more promising, the President anticipates this figure will double to 24% by 2024.
The government has introduced an array of STEM initiatives to bolster this transformation. One notable program is the creation of a STEM pipeline that encourages STEM enrollment at the tertiary level through pre-engineering programs. These programs, targeting graduates from various backgrounds such as General Arts, Visual Arts, and Business, are offered by esteemed institutions like the George Grant University of Mines and Technology, Pentecost University, and Kumasi Technical University. The aim is to increase the number of engineering graduates from 6,500 to an impressive 30,000 by 2030.
Additionally, at the Senior High School level, the government has activated four new STEM Model Schools and revamped three existing ones into STEM Model Schools. These institutions, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, now accommodate 2,400 students dedicated to General Science and STEM studies. Furthermore, new STEM pathways encompassing engineering science, robotics, aviation and aerospace, computer science, biomedical science, agricultural science, and manufacturing have been introduced.
The government’s commitment extends to the establishment of ten regional STEM Centers, designed to cultivate a complete STEM pipeline from primary school to Senior High School. The Accra High School STEM Center, already operational, hosts 250 students daily for training in robotics, 3D printing, coding, and the core STEM subjects of physics, chemistry, and biology. Six other centers are nearing completion, while the remaining three are progressing steadily.
President Akufo-Addo underscored his government’s dedication to enhancing science education by retooling the laboratories of 180 selected Senior High Schools and constructing Model Junior High Schools, aimed at bolstering STEM programs.
This transformative approach to education is poised to empower Ghana’s youth with the skills and knowledge required to excel in the increasingly technology-driven global landscape. It symbolizes a brighter future, where Ghana’s workforce can contribute significantly to the fourth industrial wave, fostering innovation and prosperity.
Source: [Daily Graphics]
