STME clinic opens in Techiman

Techiman (B/A), Sept. 16, GNA - Mr Kwadwo Baah Wiredu, Minister of Education, Youth and Sports on Thursday noted in Techiman that, African countries could only strengthen their human resource base and scientific progress through the education of the youth.

"African countries can compete quantitatively and comprehensively in science and technology for sustainable development through the training, empowerment and motivation of the people", he said. The Minister said this in an address read for him at the opening of a five-day Science, Technology and Mathematics Education (STME) clinic for 60 participants, made up of 48 girls and 12 boys drawn from 37 junior and senior secondary schools in the Techiman Municipality.

The clinic, the third decentralized one to be held in the Municipality under the theme, "Scientific and Technological Education, the Hope of the Nation", would among other things help participants to become aware of the gender stereotypes inhibiting females students from studying science related subjects.

It is also aimed at creating opportunities for them to improve their creative and observational skills and scientific problem solving through the development of science and technology projects.

Mr Wiredu said, times were changing and the importance of quality education, especially STME, could therefore not be over-emphasized. "For the country to have a meaningful development, Ghana's workforce cannot over look the training of the female population", he stated.

Mr Baah Wiredu urged Ghanaians to become more interested in Information Communication Technology (ICT), which had been found to be a tool that could address educational challenges.

He expressed regret that science remained a subject regarded as difficult and in the realms of mystery, saying, the notion that it was only the brightest students who took up science subjects should be discarded.

Oseadeayo Akumfi Ameyaw 1V, Omanhene of Techiman Traditional Area lauded the STME Clinic, noting that, it would help break the jinx of girls going into science and would also serve as a forum to allay their fears in studying science and mathematics.

"Science and Mathematics education holds the key to the development of every nation", he said, and noted that Ghana, which had abundant natural resources, lacked the human resource in technology to match the resources.

Miss Colida Mary Boakye-Yiadom, Techiman Municipal Director of Education, urged the participants to keep the theme in focus throughout the duration of the clinic.

She said, the need for application of science and technology in every day life and activities was relevant and unavoidable now than before and could not be relegated to the background.

Miss Boakye-Yiadom urged people to learn to lead lifestyles that would be in tune with modern technology so as not to be left in hopelessness and ignorance.

Mr Kwame Antwi-Boasiako, Head master of Techiman Secondary School and Municipal Chairman of the Ghana National Association of Teachers, in a good will message, asked people not to attribute deaths to witchcraft "since it is a scientific formula that human-beings are destined to die one day".

He said the objectives of the clinics were worthy and appropriate, though the challenges were enormous and charged the participants to take up the challenge and to study science and mathematics to improve their lot.

Mr John Bosco Aabulleh, Techiman STME Organiser noted an increase in the number of girls offering science related subject in senior secondary schools in the Municipality, since the decentralization of the STME programme.

Madam Cecilia Akua Yeboah, Mathematics tutor of Asuogyaman Secondary Technical School presided.