Akufo-Addo’s record on STEM education unmatched says Dr Adutwum

Minister for Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, has stated that the record of President Akufo-Addo in the advancement of science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) education in Ghana is unmatched under the 4th Republic.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Asaase News to react to social media trends on alleged participation of President Akufo-Addo in the grand finale of the 2023 National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ), the Education Minister said President Akufo-Addo  has made the study of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) attractive.

Dr Adutwum pointed out that ongoing social media commentary on government’s contribution to STEM education does not in any reflect the real situation with regard to the investment made by the Akufo-Addo administration to STEM education across the country.

“President Akufo-Addo, since assuming office in January 2017, has paid particular attention on science and maths and on STEM education in general.

“This commitment to STEM education has reflected in the unprecedented levels of investments that this administration has made to improve STEM facilities in the country and to enhance the teaching and learning of STEM related subjects” the Education Minister said.

“The government will continue with its agenda of building on existing STEM facilities and the construction of new STEM schools in order to achieve the targets that have been set for STEM enrollments,” Dr Adutwum added.

NSMQ non-participation

Asaase News has confirmed from the communications directorate that President Akufo-Addo on Friday 27 October 2023, informed organizers of the National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) that other pressing national issues will not allow him to attend the Grand Finale of the NSMQ which will be held at the National Theatre on Monday 30 October 2023 at 2pm.

Cornerstone of progress

President Akufo-Addo in a recent address at the opening ceremony of the 61st annual Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS), at Achimota School in Accra, on Wednesday, 11 October 2023, observed that STEM education has become the cornerstone of progress and innovation in the modern world.

STEM, he said, the world over, is being used to equip the youth with the critical skills needed to navigate an increasingly technology-driven global landscape. The goal of his government, the President said, is to position Ghana as a leader in STEM education and innovation on the African continent.

“The percentage of General Science students in our schools has been some twelve percent (12%) for some time. I am happy to state that the percentage, this year, has risen to some fifteen percent (15%), and it is expected to increase even further to some twenty-four percent (24%) in 2024.

“Government is creating a STEM pipeline to increase STEM enrolment at tertiary education level through pre-engineering programmes. The pre-engineering programme has been introduced to target Senior High School Graduates in general arts, visual arts, and business.

“The one-year pre-university programme, launched in February 2022, has admitted its second cohort of students. The objective is to increase the talent pool from which engineers can be selected to ensure the number of engineering graduates, that is First degree and Higher National Diploma, increases from the current six thousand, five hundred (6,500) to thirty thousand (30,000) by 2030” President Akufo-Addo said.

“At the senior high school level, increasing enrolment in STEM has been made possible by operationalizing four (4) newly constructed STEM Model Schools, and converting three (3) existing schools into STEM Model Schools.

The Ghana STEM Academy Schools are Abomosu STEM Academy, Awaso STEM Academy, Kpasenkpe STEM Academy, Bosomtwi Girls STEM Academy, Bosomtwi STEM Academy, Accra High School STEM Centre, and Koase Secondary Technical School.

These schools have been equipped with state-of-the-art laboratories and classrooms, dormitories, assembly halls, dining halls and conducive environments to foster teaching and learning. There are some two thousand, four hundred (2,400) students enrolled to study General Science and STEM in the seven (7) schools” he added.