By Benjamin Akoto
Sunyani (Bono), Aug. 19, GNA- Professor Ernest Kofi Davis, the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES) has urged educational institutions to imbibe in students the competencies of critical and creative thinking and strong personal and social skills.
He said that the nation would have future innovators with effective communication skills, collaborative and teamwork spirit and urged the institutions to improve the ICT proficiencies of the students too.
Prof Davis gave the advice when speaking at the Basic Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (BSTEM) project in Sunyani. The GES is collaborating with Itec Global, a science-centered firm for the implementation of the BSTEM to enhance the teaching of science and mathematics at the basic education level.
It was launched as a pilot project in 2024 and provided 100 Junior High Schools with kits containing science and mathematics equipment that enabled teachers to adopt hands-on, problem-solving, and experimental approaches in their lessons.
The project also introduced digital tools and technologies designed to build students’ skills in office applications, programming, and robotics, thereby promoting holistic STEM education across disciplines. Prof Davis urged teachers to continuously upgrade their knowledge and skills saying training entrepreneurs and innovators required deliberate efforts to promote STEM and entrepreneurship education at all levels.
Mr Haruna Iddrisu, the Minister of Education stressed the need for the nation to build a strong foundation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education.
He said: “STEM is not merely about laboratories and formulas, but about nation-building addressing everyday challenges like food security, climate change, healthcare and sustainable energy”.
“It’s also about equipping the Ghanaian child not only to consume but also to create technology”, the Minister stated, explaining that the nation’s educational curriculum had been carefully designed to help learners identify and nurture their talents from an early age.
He observed that the education system was transitioning from memorization to methods that emphasized inquiry, problem-solving, and creativity, ensuring that every Ghanaian child explored their potential in science, technology, arts and entrepreneurship.
Mr Iddrisu said: “Central to this vision is the teacher. No matter how well-designed a curriculum is, it can’t succeed without modern training that equips teachers with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to deliver STEM effectively at all levels”.
He said that the BSTEM programme was vital as it ensured that teachers were equipped with 21st century methods and the skills to enable them to integrate technology and innovation into their teaching.
Madam Cressy Godding, the Project Director, Itec Global, said the company in partnership with the Ministry of Education and the GES had developed an integrated STEM approach for classroom instruction.
She explained that the pilot project covered 100 schools, 200 teachers and 50 trainers, saying that the first phase of the project would extend to 4, 400 Junior High Schools nationwide with each school receiving science, mathematics, robotics, ICT, and engineering kits, adding that 8, 800 educators would also be trained.
GNA
Edited by Dennis Peprah/Benjamin Mensah