As Ghana joins the rest of the world to mark this year’s Intentional Children’s Day on the theme: “Children of Today, Our Keepers Tomorrow”, Youth Bridge Foundation (YBF) has called for a needed attention to be accorded Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education.
Mr Seth Oteng, the Executive Director who made the call said YBF was not suggesting that everyone would be in Science but of much effort “We think is very critical, as the Science and Mathematics subjects are very critical for the Progression and education in Ghana,” he said.
To this end, Mr Oteng has commended Tullow Ghana Limited for funding a three-year Educate to Innovate with STEM Project by the YBF in the six Coastal Districts of the Western Region.
This forms part of efforts by two the organisations to improve the performance of students in the core subjects of Science and Mathematics at the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) level under the Educate to Innovate with STEM Project.
The project, which is funded by Tullow Ghana Limited and implemented by YBF, a youth focused group with interest in bridging gaps for positive development, seeks to empower beneficiaries to imagine, aspire and put their thoughts into action to solve challenges through STEM.
“I also appreciate the phenomenal support from teachers at the basic level and Senior High Schools in all the six districts we visited, for opening their doors to these beneficiaries for the mentoring sessions, orientation and science practicals they were engaged in for the first time.” he said.
To encourage children develop interest in STEM, Mr Oteng has therefore called for a collective approach of stakeholders in promoting children’s education in the country.
“Ghana beyond Aid is a collective responsibility and can only thrive on an investment into Ghana’s human capital, specifically the children.
“And a key component of this investment is in their education at the basic and Senior High level,” he said.
The Executive Director of YBF, therefore, called for a multi-stakeholder approach among the Ghana Education Service, Ministry of Education, traditional authorities, corporate bodies and parents to invest in the education of Ghana’s children.
YBF has also lauded government for sustaining focus in STEM.
On November 15, Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, the Minister of Finance announced to parliament that Government will in 2019 roll out the Basic STEM programme in 7,000 basic schools across the country and also construct 10 STEM Centres.
Mr Ofori-Atta made the announcement when he presented the 2019 fiscal year budget and economic policy of the country to Parliament.
International Children’s Day was established in 1954 and is celebrated on November 20th each year to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and improving children’s welfare.
YBF, a non-Governmental organisation of the yearly leadership grooming programme, is accredited with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Special Consultative Status.
As a youth-focused educational organisation, it has the goal of bridging gaps for positive youth development.
Source: YBF Communications Department