Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum
The STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) campaign has increased the ratio of Science to Humanities from 34:66 in 2017/18 to 39:61 last year.
Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, who revealed this, said the country’s need for more Science graduates cannot be overstated.
“This is evident in the growing numbers of companies and businesses in the sciences and technology value chain,” he said while answering questions on the floor of the House yesterday.
Recognising this, he stated that the ministry committed to increasing Science enrolment at all levels of the country’s educational system in its Education Strategic Plan (2018-2030).
By 2030, the ministry hoped to achieve a 60:40 ratio of enrolment in the Sciences and Humanities at the tertiary level, he added.
Dr. Adutwum stated that, while this may be a daunting task, he is pleased that the Science-to-Humanities ratio has since improved.
“To ensure the achievement of this target, the Ministry has rolled out various programmes aimed at broadening the base for Science education in the country,” he noted.
He disclosed that these include the construction of STEM schools, resourcing the existing Science schools, and introduction of STEM innovation programmes.
According to him, ten STEM schools are being built across the country, three of which have already been completed and are fully operational.
The STEM schools, according to the minister, are outfitted with cutting-edge laboratories and tools to aid in the teaching and learning of Science and ICT.
He continued that the ministry was also resourcing the schools across the country through the provision of laboratory equipment, tools and chemicals.
On the STEM innovation programme, he stated that it is a STEM innovation-driven activity designed to increase student interest in STEM programmes.
“Introduction of pre-engineering course: to pursue engineering in the university, pre-engineering course for non-Science SHS graduates has been introduced.
“This is currently being piloted by the University of Mines and Technology and Pentecost University College; provision of scholarships and other financial aids to STEM students,” he said
In addition, he stated that the ministry intends to establish at least five STEM universities in order to increase tertiary access.
“We are convinced that these programmes above are robust enough to facilitate the achievement of the ratio 60:40 by 2030,” he intimated.
By Ernest Kofi Adu, Parliament House