Some candidates sitting the 2019 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) have expressed gratitude to Tullow Ghana for holding pre-examination sessions and interventions for them.
The programme was held under the Educate to Innovate with Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Project.
According to the students, the sessions proved helpful because it boosted their confidence towards the exams; and whipped up interest in STEM among them
One of them Alex Aka, of the Nkontompo AME Zion JHS in his testimony testified that the project afforded him the opportunity to experience a science laboratory for the very first time.
“I learnt how to use the various litmus papers to test for Acid and Base and how to construct an electrical circuit using the various electrical components. This has helped me understand the Science concept very well and has empowered me to pursue Science at the secondary level of education. I also feel very confident about the science and maths papers”.
Similarly, Christiana Quayeson, of the Poase Methodist JHS noted that the quiz and other important preparatory sessions educated her more on some Science apparatus and all other important topics she needed to cover.
“I believe this helped me in writing my exams and I will pass with flying colours,” she added.
In the Akonu community, Frederick Amoo, from the Akonu District Assembly JHS noted that “the exercise reminded me of so many things I had forgotten.
“Through this program, I learned that with constant practice and dedication, Maths and Science are easy to solve.”
Educate to Innovate with STEM is a three-year project funded by Tullow Ghana and implemented by the YBF, in the six coastal districts of the Western Region. The project is strategically located to benefit communities where Tullow’s operations are mostly felt.
t, therefore, serves as a major component of Tullow’s socio-economic investment strategy aimed at improving the interest and performance of students at the Junior High and Senior High School levels in STEM by 50%.
Activities carried out included STEM Clinics – demonstration of how science practicum in physics, biology and chemistry are conducted in the laboratory; Mentorship and Orientation Seminar, an educational drive that socialized JHS pupils about the basic rules of the BECE exams and how to select schools based on their interests and performance; and STEM Quiz Competition that tested the knowledge and preparedness of the pupils ahead of the upcoming BECE.
Present at the sessions spanning over two weeks since May 21, 2019 were key stakeholders including the Assistant Western Regional Science, Technology, Mathematics, Innovation and Engineering (STMIE) Coordinator, Evelyn Annumel; Takoradi Metropolitan Exam Coordinator, Victoria Ametepe; Shama District STMIE Coordinator, Sabina Buabeng; Shama District Director of Education, Efua Amoakoah-Qummah; District WAEC Examiner for Shama, Kobina Lawson; and Public Relations Officer of the Ahanta West Education Directorate, Daniel Payne.
They each took turns to give bits and pieces of counsel to the pupils on relevant areas in STEM to focus on for success in the upcoming BECE exams.
Source : MyJoyOnline