Chairperson of the Women Wing at the Institute of Engineering and Technology, Ing. Mrs. Amankwaa Amenka, has encouraged girls to offer Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) courses.
She believes this will enhance their brilliancy as well as build their capacity in providing solutions on the numerous problems within the society.
According to her, STEM has become the only agent in solving societal scientific challenges hence the need for girls to fully embrace it.
According to her, “if our country Ghana can develop, it largely depends on STEM, which is Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics and we have realized that if we wait for children to get exposed to STEM in the tertiary level, it does not help, so we have to reach out to those in upper primary and JHS so they can develop interest for STEM at an early age”.
She explained that the idea that anything Engineering, technical, Science and Maths is a field for males is a misconception and must not be tolerated; however, females must be encouraged to also participate in STEM programs.
Ing. Amankwaa Amenka said this during a Women in Engineering Mentorship Program dubbed “Engaging the next generation of STEM Pacesetters for Technological Advancement” in Sunyani.
In the same vein, the Bono Regional Minister, Hon. Justina Owusu Banahene urged the use of the L1 (mother tongue) in their teaching as she is of the view that the use of the L1 in teaching will enable students to understand and practically learn and also perform well.
She said, ” First and foremost, when teaching, teachers must use the L1, the first mother language to teach, those days that brilliance was determined by someone’s ability to speak the English Language fluently is no more”.
She continued “we have realized that, if you learn by using your mother’s tongue, you truly understand whatever it is that you are learning”.
She also advocated for the provision of sufficient STEM Teaching and Learning Materials (TLM) in schools as that will enable teachers to teach effectively.
Source: Elvisanokyenews.com/Clement Blankson
