Science technology and Mathematics education clinic opens at Saltpond

Saltpond, (C/R) Aug. 26, GNA - The Ministry of Education Youth and Sports has endorsed the idea of constituting Science and Technology education committees in all the regions and districts, Mr. Kwadwo Baah Wiredu, the sector Minister announced on Monday in a speech read on his behalf.

Mr. Baah Wiredu said the committees will offer appropriate support, guidance as well as mobilise and redirect resources to support Science and Technology education.

Mrs. Justina E, Torjagbo, Central Regional Director of Education read the speech at the opening of a week-long second Mfantseman District Science Technology and Mathematics Clinic at Saltpond.

One hundred students, made up of 90 girls and 10 boys selected from JSS and SSS in the district are participating in the clinic, which has "STME, in support of scientific and technological transformation of Ghana" as its theme. It is being sponsored by Mfantseman District Assembly.

"If Ghana is to compete and prosper in a new age of technology and in the global economy, she must focus attention on her human resource and manpower development".

The Minister said building indigenous and substantial Science and technology capabilities is vital in eliminating illiteracy, ignorance, disease and poverty and called for the need to expand investment in human resources in order to manage technological change. He attributed the poverty and hunger in Africa to the low level of Scientific and technological knowledge land skills noting that the environment is a major determinant of the growth and development objectives of a nation.

"Equipping individuals with Science and Technology will enhance the process of eradicating poverty and hunger in Africa", he said. Miss Vivian Etroo, the district co-ordinator of the STME programme said the participants would be taken through lectures in Science, moral education with special emphasis on indiscipline and HIV/AIDS, career guidance and would also visit places of interest which relates with Science and technology.

She explained that few boys were selected for the clinic to assess how they could be contained.

Miss Etroo said some role models, especially females, who have gone through the mill have been selected to share their experience to motivate the participants to forge ahead with science education. Mr. Frank Neequaye, the Presiding Member of the Mfantseman District Assembly enumerated a number of school infrastructure development projects undertaken by the assembly land donor partners.

Mrs. Elizabeth Croffie, the Headmistress of Mfantseman Girls' Secondary School said from 1968 to 1976 the school, though girls school, had to admit boys to do science at the sixth form because the girls were not willing to pursue Science courses.

She commended the government for promoting Science education through the STME programme.

Mr. Isaac Bart-Addison, the District Director of Education, who chaired the function urged Ghanaians to erase the misconception that Science related subjects were a preserve of males. He said with perseverance and determination, females could even do better in Science.