Education system needs to be reviewed amid STEM – Stakeholders

Relevant stakeholders in the educational sector amid the introduction of STEM education have called on the central government to review the country’s education system from the normal theory of learning to the practical aspects.

At a three-day Global Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Computing Education Summit, they said the government’s pursuit to promote STEM education could be effective should Ghana’s education system dwell more on the practical.

Organised by Bountiful Technologies, the 2023 Global Summit brought together stakeholders from Ghana, Sweden, and the United States of America among others to discuss how to get resources to create a sustainable STEM education in Ghana.

The three-day Global Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Computing Education Summit Summit was on the theme: “Rethink the state of STEM and Computing Education in Ghana.”

Reacting to the stakeholder’s call, John Ntim Fordjour, the Deputy Minister for Education urged the stakeholders in the private sector to get involved in the government’s pursuit to promote STEM education in the country.

The Reverend Minister said partnering with the government on this initiative would be of great benefit to the institutions, adding that it would enhance students with the needed skills and shape them for the job market.

The Deputy Minister said the government was focused on STEM education, hence, would require partnership with all, especially private institutions, and investors to play a key role in the development of a holistic education in the country.

Mr David Prah, the Deputy Director General for Ghana TVET Services on his part said the youth have a high interest in TVET education and therefore, getting involved with STEM would be of great benefit to the sector.

Highlighting the purpose of the Summit, Mr Seth Ogoe Ayim, Chief Executive Officer of Bountiful Technologies said the Summit was to train, share ideas and look for resources and logistics to better promote STEM education in Ghana.

“In the next five years, I want to see Ghana exporting STEM skills to the world because if you look at the time zone, it is easier to work from Ghana to Europe,” the Bountiful Technologies official said as quoted by the Ghana News Agency.

Mr Seth Ogoe Ayim explained that there were more boys in STEM education than girls, adding that for the past 10 years, they have trained over 30, 000 students, and 40 per cent of our programmes are girls.