A recent study conducted by the program’s implementers from 2021 to 2023, the BECE passing rate for schools using the Yamoransa labs increased by 14.4% as against 1% of other schools.
Speaking at the annual Impact Roundtable Discussion and Robotic Competition in Accra, the Executive Director of Helping Africa Foundation, a funding partner of the Yamoransa Model Lab Program, Japhet Aryiku called on successive governments to embrace and construct lab centers across Ghana.
“Based upon the trial inquiry we made, we think this government will really be interested in embracing what we are trying to do, and perhaps in the 2026-2027 budget we hope and get it in there to take this thing forward”. He says this “will help the country’s digitalization and technology drive while providing students in deprived areas access to technological skills and ICT”.
The Yamoransa Model aims to provide an opportunity for students to expand their STEAM education through practical experience. The program provides selected communities with ICT centers equipped with educational content and multimedia, as well as a Maker Space with robotics.
Students who use these labs are fully exposed to contemporary technology and educational content to enhance their studies and increase their career options.
Currently, the Yamoransa Model Lab Program has 10 lab centers in 10 regions of the country, with an aim to expand access to other regions. The model’s impact on the academics of students who participate cannot be overemphasized.
In the areas of Maths, Science, and ICT, which are prerequisites for tertiary education, findings of the model’s implementors indicate a 13% increase rate for schools benefiting from the model. This research was conducted in four districts, which are Bogosso, Pikki, Chuggu, and Weija Bagwe.
Mr Aryiku stressed that the “introduction of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics, STEAM education has yielded impressive results, significantly improving the academic capacity of students who participate in the practical tutorials offered by the Yamoransa Model Lab Program”.
The Dean of Engineering Sciences, Professor Elsie Kaufmann, highlighted the crucial role technology can play in reducing unemployment rates in Ghana and beyond. She stressed that Ghana must keep pace with the world’s rapid technological advancements to avoid being left behind while building capacities among young people, including the girl child.
“In an article published by the World Bank in 2023, it is estimated that 2.5 million more engineers are needed in sub-Saharan Africa to tackle its development challenges. There is currently a huge gap in meeting this demand. “African Union’s agenda 2064 also recognizes the role of STEM education in fast-tracking African’s development and advocates for African’s intentional investment in STEM education and skills as a viable opportunity in addressing pertinent trends in emerging technologies, climate action, green economy, cybersecurity and global health”, she said.
The Member of Parliament for Dormaa West, Vincent Oppong Asamoah gave an assurance to push for government support to maintain and expand the programme.
“I think this is very important despite the fact that we have challenges with our finances, this is one project that should capture the attention of the minister. It’s a good project. I have benefited from it so I’m the one who can give a testimony about it. The statistics support the fact that once we put our money there, we are going to reap the benefit of it so I don’t think I will find it very difficult to convince the minister to buy into such a project.”
This year’s Yamoransa Model Impact is on the theme: “Scaling the Successes of Bridging Educational Gaps with Technology.”
