Marie Aziz Tunde
The Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has cut the sod for the construction of an ultra-modern school complex named “21st Century Lower Secondary” facility in the Essikado-Ketan Constituency of the Western Region. The facility is solely dedicated to the teaching and learning of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
The two-storey facility, when completed, would have five different laboratories, biology physics, chemistry, computer and robotics as well as an artificial intelligence laboratory. The project which is expected to be completed within 10-months is geared towards the achievement of a more robust educational system with the 4th Industrial Revolution.
According to Vice President Bawumia, the current industrial revolution necessitated major attention to the sciences to engineer growth while also ensuring that Ghanaian students become globally competitive.
He said the government is bent on building a strong foundation in the STEM arena and to reposition the country’s education system to produce that critical mass with the requisite knowledge in critical thinking, problem-solving, data, digital and computer literacy.
Dr. Bawumia added that to spur economic growth, much effort was being made by the government to invest in the area of STEM. He said STEM education Complexes will be put up across the country to realize the vision of rapid socio-economic growth, a job for all and holistic advancement of Ghanaians.
”The overall agenda of the government was to ensure that Ghanaian students become globally competitive through the integration of relevant academic content with experiences that nurtured the skills and mindsets needed to participate meaningfully for socio-economic transformation”, he said.
The Deputy Minister for Education, Reverend John Ntim-Fordjour, said the various government’s interventions in STEM and TVET are to eradicate the weak-link that had existed since the introduction of the 1987 educational reforms that introduced the Junior and Senior high school.
The Western Regional Minister, Mr Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, commended the government for thinking generational and beyond electoral gains to groom the next generation of talents with the requirements to turn the country’s fortunes in the right direction.
MP for Essikado-Ketan Constituency, Mr Joe Ghartey, said already the area which is fast becoming an educational hub with institutions including the University of Mines and Technology campus is fostering economic growth in the area. He also commended the government for the attention given to turning around the country’s education system to meet modern trends.
