The government of Korea has pledged to inject an additional $28 million to support the second phase of the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) project in Ghana.
This commitment follows the successful implementation of the first phase of the STEM project, which improved science and mathematics education in junior high schools (JHS) across the Eastern and Central regions.
The STEM Phase II project is expected to commence next year and will run until 2032.
The new phase will expand to the Ashanti Region, covering approximately 800 schools and 1,600 teachers nationwide.
It will also introduce digital learning in mathematics and science through tablets and smart classrooms, providing students with modern learning tools.
Mr. Kyongsig Park, the Korean Ambassador to Ghana, who announced the commitment at the closing ceremony of Phase I of the project, in Accra, on Tuesday, expressed satisfaction with the progress made so far and reiterated Korea’s commitment to supporting Ghana’s educational development.
“I am pleased to share that the STEM Phase II Project is expected to begin next year and continue until 2032, with a total budget increase from $8.4 million to $28 million,” Mr. Park disclosed.
He emphasised the need for Ghana to invest in the education of its youth, stressing that the country’s youthful population, with a median age of 21, presented a significant opportunity for development.
He warned that without proper education and skills development, the younger generation may not reach their full potential, ultimately hindering the country’s economic progress.
“… if you don’t educate your students well, this demographic dividend will change into the demographic curse. If you cannot achieve development now, your younger generation becomes older before they get rich before your country becomes rich,” Mr Park warned.
Launched in 2021, the first phase of the “Enhancing Girls’ Competency in Mathematics and Science through Gender-Responsive Pedagogy in Junior High Schools in Ghana,” project focused on improving teaching and learning outcomes in mathematics and science, particularly among female students, using a gender-responsive and inclusive pedagogy.
Phase I of the project was implemented across 400 JHS in 10 districts of Eastern and Central regions of Ghana, directly impacting over 49,000 students and training 800 mathematics and science teachers, 400 head teachers, and 68 School Improvement Support Officers (SISOs).
It was implemented by the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service, at a cost of $8.39 million.
Giving details of the Phase II of the project, Mr. Donghyun Lee, KOICA Country Director, disclosed that a key component of the project was the establishment of a state-of-the-art ASPIRE Centre in the Greater Accra Region.
This, he said, would serve as national hub for digital learning, innovation, and teacher training.
Additionally, he said, about 178,000 students are expected to benefit from the second phase of the project.
Mr. Haruna Iddrisu, the Minister of Education, lauded the Korean Government and KOICA for their continuous support in promoting STEM education, particularly for girls, in the country.
The Minister emphasised the critical role of science and mathematics education in developing critical thinking, analytical skills, and problem-solving abilities for the future.
To boost science and mathematics education across the country, Mr. Iddrisu announced a number of initiatives including establishing a science resource centre in the northern part of Ghana, launching a new initiative to produce locally manufactured STEM equipment for young ladies, and introducing a bill to establish a university in Builsa, with support from the Korean government
Source: GNA
Source: ghanabusinessnews.com
