The Minister of Bono Region, Hon. Justina Owusu Banahene has revealed that the days where students were restricted to pursue a particular program at the tertiary level based on the courses they offered at the Senior High School level is over.
According to her, “Ghana is gradually embracing a policy where Arts students are given the opportunity to enter into the STEM field”.
Hon. Justina Owusu Banahene disclosed this during the Chemistry and STEAM Festival 2023 held at the University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani.
She therefore advised the students to understand that Chemistry is life hence Ghanaians must accept Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM), Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM and Technical Vocational Education Technology (TVET).
“Now science has changed our perspective, it has made us fully aware of our body chemistry and individual differences, so I believe if we integrate science, especially chemistry in our other education discipline, it will help us individuals and the country at large”. The Minister said
The Bono Region Director of Education, Mr. Gabriel Antwi, believes Ghana can only see the development she yearned for if the country produces a high number of science liteates.
“Gone were the days where we blame natural phenomena to witches and wizards but with science, such phenomena can be explained so if we want critical thinkers, problem solvers and inventors to develop our country, then we have to encourage and support students to share their science related ideas and improve upon such ideas.” He revealed.
He therefore admonished students who are into science not to be discouraged because the government has established a committee to ensure that their innovations are further developed and advance to enhance national agenda.
The President of Ghana STEM Network Mr. Joshua Opoku Agyemang on his part said, “according to research, by 2030, which is seven (7) years from now some 800 million individuals across the world will lose their jobs to robots and other artificial intelligence innovations.”
He continued, “so it is prudent to introduce STEM education in our syllabus since it will enable our learners to acquire the requisite skills for the job market in the near future.”
Source: Elvisanokyenews.com/Clement Blankson
