Policy Makers Urged to Shift Focus to STEM Education

Policy Makers Urged to Shift Focus to STEM Education

From Ernest Best Anane, Kumasi

Dr. Philip Oti Agyen, Vice Dean at the Faculty of Education and Communication Sciences at Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED), has called on policy makers to change the educational curriculum to focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

Speaking at the Launching of Quiz Talk National STEM Programme, he indicated that the shift in focus would motivate students to develop critical thinking skills and provide them with better job opportunities.

Dr. Agyen emphasized that STEM education would enable students to engage in critical, systematic and analytical thinking and provide them with a wide range of job opportunities.

He noted that there is a misconception that STEM subjects are difficult and urged parents and policy makers to disabuse students of the notion.

He stated that STEM education would not only provide students with job opportunities but also contribute to economic development and industrialization.

According to him, Focusing on STEM would motivate students to have expansive fertile minds, enabling them to engage in critical, systematic, and analytical thinking.”

Madam Afia Breyie Osei, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of The Quiz Talk National STEM programme, disclosed that the programme is very important because it is the first in the country and it aims to make students learn about science, technology, innovativeness, and critical thinking.

According to her, The Quiz Talk National STEM programme was launched to promote STEM education among basic school students in Ghana.

She said the programme aims to provide students with the opportunity to develop their critical thinking skills and explore new ideas in STEM-related fields.

She expressed the view that the shift in focus to STEM education is expected to have a positive impact on the country’s economic development and industrialization. And would also provide students with better job opportunities and enable them to contribute to the country’s growth and development.

Mr Anwel Sadat Ahmed, the Municipal Chief Executive of Oforikrom Municipality commended the CEO of the Quiz Talk National STEM Programme for the initiative to give the participating students explore new ideas and mindset about the studies of STEM.

He called on the Ministry of Education through Ghana Education Service (GES) policy makers to support the initiative to in changing the narratives of our modern curriculum not to leave any student behind.