STEM education initiative launched for teacher trainees

The Ministry of Education has introduced Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education for teacher trainees. 

The initiative aims at revolutionising Ghana's education system by incorporating STEM principles from the grassroots level to tertiary education. Launching the STEM in the training institutions at the Ministry of Education in Accra, the Minister of Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, commended University of Cape Coast (UCC) for its proactive approach in curriculum development, emphasising the transformative impact of STEM education on students' lives. 

In attendance

The session was attended by key stakeholders including government officials and education experts such as a delegation from the UCC, led by the Provost of the College of Education Studies, Professor Ernest Kofi Davis; a representative of the Head of Department of Science Education, Dr Kenneth Adu-Gyamfi, and the Head of the Department of Mathematics and ICT Education, Dr Forster Danso Ntow.

The rest were a deputy Minister of Education Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, and the Special Advisor to the Ministry of Education, Angela Affran, as well as representatives from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), National Teaching Council (NTC) and Ghana Education Service (GES).

STEM education

He cited success stories from Afia Kobi Girls’ Senior High School (SHS), where students utilised STEM knowledge to innovate drones and sea crafts for underwater exploration. Furthermore, Dr Adutwum unveiled architectural designs for STEM schools and laboratories, underscoring the government's commitment to providing state-of-the-art facilities to support STEM implementation.

He urged the UCC to prioritise infrastructure development to meet the evolving needs of STEM students in the university. The minister rallied support from the NTC, GTEC, and Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) to bolster the UCC's efforts, pledging his commitment to ensure the successful enrolment of students in the STEM programme for the upcoming academic year.

Prof. Davis expressed gratitude to the Minister for his visionary leadership, which inspired UCC to develop a comprehensive STEM curriculum. He outlined three programmes designed by UCC, marking a significant milestone in ensuring a holistic STEM education cycle from basic school to university level.