The Ashantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has lauded the Education Minister, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, for his exceptional efforts in reforming the country’s educational system. He made this known when the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs invited the minister to brief the house about the development in the sector.
“Today, we have seen the good works you and the government are doing. We commend you to continue. We are talking about Science, Technology, Education and Mathematics (STEM)”, Otumfuo said.
Otumfuo highlighted the minister’s initiatives aimed at improving teaching standards, curriculum innovation and expanding access to quality education across Ghana.
“All what he discussed with us has to do with developmental projects. The Minister has explained everything that had to do with Senior High School, Technical, Vocational Education and Training and STEM. School Computerised placements too, he has explained to us -Chiefs”, Otumfuo highlighted.
Free Senior High School
The Minister addressed the House on Free Senior High School (FSHS) policy and its impact on the region, model junior high schools under construction, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) schools, WASSCE results under FSHS, National Standardised Test (NST), Community of Excellence, National Education Leadership Institute, Teacher Licensure Examination, the Academic Calendar and others.
On Free Senior High School, the minister told the chiefs that the policy, including that of TVET, has afforded many students the chance to further their education.
He said this is seen in the increase in enrolment since 2017, from 830,000 to 1.4 million. The increase is also as a result of the government’s decision to erode the cut-off point for enrolment.
Double track system
On the double track system, he said the government adopted the double track system to resolve the influx of enrolment above the capacity of educational infrastructure.
He said he adopted that from California and suggested that as a solution to the large number of candidates that graduated from Junior High Schools.
According to him, California used the double track system, which was called year-round education during their educational reformation.
Currently, he noted that 40% of schools in the country still run the double-track system.
He also told the House about the affiliation policy instituted for low-ranked and new second-cycle institutions.
By this, he explained that low-ranking schools will earn the prestige and popularity needed to build the interest and confidence of parents in such schools. It will also advance these schools in academic activities.
He also elaborated on some new schools being established across the country.
Moreover, he continued that the construction of some of these schools with varied uniforms is ongoing in Juabeng, Abenase and Bantama.
According to him, the one at Bosomtwe has been completed, with the government’s flagship “One Constituency, One Million Dollar” fund.
STEM
As part of efforts to develop studies in STEM, he said UMAT and other educational institutions have entered into a government agreement to offer a year course in engineering for non-science students in exchange for government grants.
These courses will be a benchmark for furthering into STEM courses in any university across the country.
Additionally, he said newly equipped science laboratories have been established in schools like Kumasi Girls’, Kumasi High, Kumasi Anglican and Afia Kobi. Meanwhile, he said construction is ongoing in other schools.
On the other hand, he said Dabaa STEM at Dabaa in Atwima Nwabiagya North will soon open for the first phase with 200 students, while an Arts school at Kwadaso is ongoing.
National Standardised Test
The Minister stated that the National Standardised Test (NST) was introduced to test students in Basic 4 and defy the 11-year national test drought the country endured in basic schools.
“Results of the tests going forward will be documented and presented according to traditional areas to the members of the House”, he promised.
