Education Minister, Haruna Iddrisu, on Monday gave assurance that the government remained committed to invest and revolutionise the study of Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education in the country.
He said that would empower the nation to adapt to rapidly evolving technological advancement, mitigate climate change, as well as tackle emerging threats and thereby nurture critical thinkers and problem solvers.
Minister Iddrisu said this when interacting with the media on the sidelines of the launch of the Basic Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (BSTEM) project in Sunyani.
The Ghana Education Service in partnership with Itec Global, a science-centered firm, are spearheading the implementation of the project.
It sought to enhance teaching of science and mathematics at the basic educational level by equipping classrooms with modern tools for active learning.
The BSTEM was piloted in 2024 and provided 100 Junior High Schools with science and mathematics equipment, enabling teachers to adopt hands-on, problem-solving, and experiential learning approaches.
It also introduced technologies to build skills in office applications, programming and robotics, supporting comprehensive learning across all STEM disciplines.
Minister Iddrisu said the project was being rolled out in three phases, with the first phase expected to span 18 months, saying on completion the government would review and evaluate its outcomes to guide the implementation of subsequent phases.
He noted: “In today’s rapidly evolving world, emerging technologies from artificial intelligence and biotechnology to robotics and renewable energy are reshaping industries and generating new opportunities.
“All these technological advancements are rooted in STEM and for the Ghana to remain competitive globally, generate decent jobs and build a resilient economy, the country must nurture a generation of problem-solvers, innovators and critical thinkers from the foundational stages of education,” Minister Iddrisu stated.
He explained that the BSTEM project went beyond being a mere training initiative, representing a strategic national investment to equip teachers with modern skills, digital tools, and innovative teaching methods.
That will make STEM subjects more engaging and accessible at the basic education level, saying that the approach would spark early interest in STEM among young learners, fostering curiosity, creativity, and confidence qualities needed to shape future scientists, engineers, and innovators who will lead Ghana’s development.
Mr Gabriel Antwi, the Bono Regional Director of Education indicated that teaching science abstractly and through traditional methods had posed significant challenges, particularly for practical lessons, requiring laboratory demonstrations.
He said that basic schools would soon be equipped with STEM tools hoping that with the required tools the teaching and learning of the subject would improve for useful outcomes.
Mr Antwi noted that practical lessons and experiments promoted a learner-centered approach and thereby encouraged students to apply theoretical concepts more effectively.
The training programme and the equipment distribution will transform STEM education at the basic level, improve student performance and spark greater interest through hands-on experiences, he added.
