AMA launches second STME programme

Accra, Aug. 18, GNA - The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) on Monday launched the second Accra Metro Science, Technology and Mathematics Education (STME) 2003 Clinic for 300 selected senior secondary school (SSS) and junior secondary school students and primary school pupils in Accra.

The programme dubbed: "STME in support of Scientific and Technological Transformation of Ghana" was organised to arouse and sustain the interest of the students in STME.

It is also to make the students and pupils more creative, imaginative and to improve their scientific and technological skills. This year, there are 90 boys in the programme, which hitherto was for girls only.

Mrs Gladys Asmah, Minister for Women and Children's Affairs, said there was the need to step up education in science and technology, as it was the key that propelled economic development.

Mrs Asmah said scientific and technological education and their application propelled the development of advanced countries. She said the problem of Africa and other Third World countries stemmed from low level of scientific and technological education and know-how.

Mrs Asmah said Ghana has to redefine its national priorities in terms of needed manpower to push the development agenda forward by training the young generation to understand the culture of science and technology.

She said science education should be very practical to make it attractive.

Schools should, therefore, enter into collaborative programmes with industry to enable students of science and technology to spend more of their time learning through practice and observation.

Mrs Rose Ankrah, Accra Metro Director of Education, suggested the establishment of science laboratories and technical workshops on a cluster basis if equipping individual school workshops would pose problem.

Mrs Ankrah said every ministry needs a desk on science and technology Education to advise and develop programmes that would reflect trends in the scientific and technological world. She appealed to the government to institute a science and technology week in schools and make a commitment to support the development of science projects in schools. Mrs Ankrah also appealed to non-governmental organisations and financial institutions to support educational institutions.