A frantic effort is been made by the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo-led government to increase access to the study of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)-related courses at all levels of education in the country.
The Deputy Minister for Education in charge of General Education, Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, who announced this, mentioned some of the interventions being made as the introduction of the Pre-Engineering programme, construction of several STEM institutions across the country, and revamping of the study of STEM education among others.
Rev. Ntim Fordjour, who was speaking at the launching of the 20th Anniversary of the School of Engineering Sciences (SES) at the University of Ghana, Legon, on Wednesday, also mentioned the introduction of the study of Engineering, Robotics and Coding at the Senior High School level, as well as the construction of several science laboratories, as other measures being put in place to boost the teaching and learning of STEM-related courses in all schools.
The Deputy Minister, who is a Mineral Engineer by profession, challenged the School of Engineering Sciences to position itself for an increase in its intake for more Engineers Sciences students in their institution to help train more STEM graduates to support the development of the nation’s transformation agenda.
Rev. Ntim Fordjour was upbeat that should the state of transformation of STEM education continue for a couple of years, there was no way the country could not have the required number of professionals to support the development of the nation’s economy.
He praised the founding members of the SES, the staff, management, and all other partners who had contributed in diverse ways towards the feat chalked so far by the institution.
The Deputy Minister, who is also the Member of Parliament for Assin South, pledged the Education Ministry’s preparedness towards deepening its relationship with the SES to help train more students to support the manpower needs of the country, and the rest of the world.
The Dean of the SES, Prof. Elsie Effah Kaufmann, in her welcome address, stated that the institution, which started in 2003 with 31 students, now had 1,246.
She was full of praise to all its students and industrial partners for their support towards the development of the institution.
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, in an address read for her, pledged to continue creating an enabling environment for effective teaching and learning to take place.
She assured the nation of her readiness to put in place the right measures to ensure that their students received the best training so they could support the development of the nation’s economy.
As part of the year-long anniversary, several activities have been slated for different dates across the country by the SES.
The event was used to launch a programme of activities for the anniversary, the SES anthem and a logo as well as a ceremonial cloth to be used during the celebration.
By Felix Baidoo
